A high-profile Congress delegation, led by Rajya Sabha MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole, met with officials of the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday to voice serious concerns regarding alleged discrepancies in the electoral process ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections.
The delegation raised issues related to the alleged arbitrary deletion and addition of voters in the electoral rolls, emphasizing the potential impact on the integrity of the elections. “Our concerns are grave and based on substantial evidence of discrepancies in voter lists. We urge the Election Commission to act promptly and transparently,” said Singhvi after the meeting.
Other prominent Congress leaders who accompanied Singhvi and Patole included Rajya Sabha MPs Gurdeep Singh Sappal, Mukul Wasnik, and data analytics head Praveen Chakravarty. The leaders submitted a detailed memorandum highlighting specific irregularities, particularly in urban and rural constituencies across Maharashtra.
Singhvi asserted that ensuring free and fair elections is the collective responsibility of all stakeholders. He reiterated the party’s trust in the Election Commission but urged it to take corrective measures to maintain public confidence in the electoral process.
The delegation also sought clarification on the security and transparency of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). They proposed increased scrutiny of EVM functionality and deployment to ensure the credibility of results.
Nana Patole underscored the need for vigilance, stating, “The democratic process is sacred. Any attempt to manipulate the electoral process undermines the essence of democracy. The people of Maharashtra deserve an election free from suspicion and malpractice.”
The Congress party’s engagement with the Election Commission comes as political temperatures rise ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections. The ECI has yet to respond to the memorandum, but sources indicate that the commission will conduct a thorough review of the issues raised.
The Congress leadership has vowed to continue its efforts to safeguard electoral integrity, promising further action if their concerns remain unaddressed.
