Aim BharatThe election outcomes in Haryana have taken many by surprise, leading the Congress party to express its inability to accept the results. This statement was made on Tuesday, shortly after initial leads favoring Congress shifted dramatically to a decisive victory for the BJP.
Earlier in the day, Congress had submitted a letter to the Election Commission, raising concerns about an “unexplained slowdown” in the reporting of election results.
“As you can understand, this situation enables ill-intentioned individuals to create narratives that could undermine the electoral process. We are already witnessing such instances on social media. Our concern is that these misleading narratives may be exploited by these malicious actors to sway ongoing counting processes, particularly in the majority of counting centers,” stated senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh.
The Election Commission refuted these allegations, clarifying that approximately 25 rounds of results from all constituencies were being updated every five minutes.
In its reply, the electoral body firmly rejected Mr. Ramesh’s attempt to lend credibility to “irresponsible, unfounded, and uncorroborated malicious narratives.”
During a press conference held around 5 pm, Mr. Ramesh remarked, “The results in Haryana are entirely unexpected, utterly surprising, and counter to what was anticipated. They contradict the sentiments of the people of Haryana, who were seeking change and transformation. Given these circumstances, we find it impossible to accept the results announced today. What has transpired in Haryana represents a victory for manipulation and a subversion of the people’s will, marking a setback for transparent and democratic processes. The narrative surrounding Haryana is far from concluded.”
I have been in communication with the Election Commission throughout the afternoon. They have addressed my complaints, and I have responded to their feedback. We have received significant allegations regarding the counting process and the operation of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in at least three districts in Haryana, with more complaints anticipated. This information is currently being compiled, and we aim to present it to the Election Commission either today or tomorrow, he stated.
‘Victory Taken Away’
In response to inquiries about whether the party should reflect on the situation, given that 16 incumbent MLAs lost in Haryana and the elections in Jammu and Kashmir were secured only through an alliance with the National Conference, Mr. Ramesh indicated that there will be a time for such reflection. However, he emphasized, “The most pressing issue at this moment is that victory has been taken away from us. The system has been exploited.”
The Congress leader noted that, according to preliminary reports, there are at least 12 to 14 seats in Haryana where candidates have raised serious concerns, thereby questioning the integrity of the counting process and the operation of the EVMs. When asked if the party would pursue legal action, Mr. Ramesh stated that the Election Commission would be the first point of contact, and further actions would be determined thereafter.
Serious concerns have been raised regarding the integrity of the system’s instruments, specifically the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), as well as the significant pressure exerted on local administrative officials. Haryana has operated under a ‘double-engine’ government, resulting in compounded pressure. Candidates who initially led by substantial margins have experienced losses by margins of 50, 100, or even 250 votes. Such outcomes can only be attributed to manipulation and coercion, he expressed with frustration.
Battery Concerns
Senior Congress leader Pawan Khera, who also spoke at the press conference, indicated that the party has been receiving ongoing complaints from the districts of Hisar, Mahendragarh, and Panipat, referencing the case of Narnaul candidate Rao Narender Singh.
“EVMs that reported battery levels at 99% yielded results unfavorable to us, while those that remained untouched, with battery levels between 60-70%, which is typical, resulted in victories for our candidates. Our candidates have lodged complaints with the returning officers, and we intend to approach the Election Commission shortly… ‘This is a triumph of the system and a setback for democracy,’ he asserted.
“We are not claiming that all machines are faulty, nor are we suggesting that every machine in Haryana is defective. However, in instances of manipulation… Consider this: these machines have been idle for an extended period; how is it possible for all of them to show a standard battery level of 99%? The complaints did not arise suddenly; they were made even before the results were announced. Rao Narender Singh and our candidate from Panipat began reaching out to us while we were still in the lead,” Mr. Khera further elaborated.
BJP’s Perspective
Tune in to the latest tracks exclusively on JioSaavn.com. Following the predictions of exit polls indicating a favorable outcome for the Congress party, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini asserted that the BJP would secure a third consecutive term in government within the state. He also anticipated that the Congress would attribute their defeat to issues with electronic voting machines (EVMs).
