Is Hooda Supporting Rahul Gandhi's Claims Against the ECI?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Bhupinder Singh Hooda endorses Rahul Gandhi's criticism of the ECI.
- Concerns over the integrity of recent elections have surfaced.
- Growing public distrust in EVMs suggests a need for transparency.
- Hooda warns of a nationwide movement to protect voting rights.
- Referencing Germany, he emphasizes the importance of credible electoral processes.
New Delhi, Dec 14 (NationPress) Senior Congress figure and former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Sunday emphatically backed Rahul Gandhi's assertion that the Election Commission of India (ECI) has compromised its impartiality, claiming that recent elections have revealed significant defects in the electoral framework.
At the Congress's “Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod” rally in Ramlila Maidan, Hooda stated that the recent polls in Maharashtra, Haryana, and Karnataka have substantiated Gandhi's warnings over the past months — that the constitutional authority charged with ensuring free and fair elections has failed in its responsibilities.
“The Constitution granted every citizen the right to vote post-Independence. Today, that essential right is being manipulated,” Hooda asserted, accusing the ruling powers of extensive meddling in the voting process.
He highlighted the increasing public skepticism towards electronic voting machines (EVMs), noting that citizens are calling for a shift towards a more transparent voting system. “Even ordinary people demand the elimination of EVMs,” he noted.
Referencing international standards, Hooda mentioned Germany, where courts determined that electronic voting systems were susceptible to manipulation and thus unsuitable for a democracy. He insisted that India must pay heed to such advisories and restore the integrity of its electoral system.
The seasoned Congress leader cautioned that the party would not remain muted against what he deemed a systematic assault on democracy. “This is just the beginning. A national movement led by Rahul Gandhi will arise to safeguard the people's voting rights,” Hooda proclaimed, indicating the party's resolve to intensify its campaign against alleged “vote chori.”
The gathering, which united the Congress's senior leadership, is part of a larger initiative to spotlight concerns regarding electoral integrity. Hooda’s comments amplified Gandhi’s ongoing critique of the ECI and the BJP, framing the matter as a struggle for the core principles of India's democracy.