EC asks Jairam Ramesh to provide details on allegations against Amit Shah

The Election Commission of India has requested Congress leader Jairam Ramesh to provide evidence for his allegations against Amit Shah that Home Minister Amit Shah had been calling and “intimidating” district magistrates (DMs), who also serve as returning officers (ROs), ahead of the vote counting.

The poll body also asked for the names of the DMs allegedly contacted by the Home Minister, as claimed by the Congress leader.

In its letter, the Election Commission emphasized the importance of the vote-counting process and expressed concern that such public statements by a senior leader could cast doubt on the integrity of the process. The EC noted that no DM had reported any such undue influence attempts.

Election Commission Responds to Allegations Against Amit Shah

“You, being a responsible, experienced, and very senior leader of a national party, must have made such a public statement, just before the day of counting, based on facts/information you believe to be true. It is requested that details of 150 DMs to whom such calls have been allegedly made by the home minister along with the factual matrix/basis of your information are shared by 1900 hours today… ie June 2, so that appropriate action can be taken,” the EC said in its letter to the Congress general secretary in charge of communications.

The EC is scheduled to hold a press conference on Monday to address various issues, including concerns about doubts emerging regarding established electoral procedures during general elections.

In a statement posted on X on Saturday, Jairam Ramesh claimed, “The outgoing home minister has been calling up DMs/collectors and had spoken to 150 DMs thus far.” He added, “This is blatant and brazen intimidation, showing how desperate the BJP is. Let it be very clear: the will of the people shall prevail, and on June 4, Modi, Shah, and BJP will exit, and the INDIA Janbandhan will be victorious. Officers should not get under any pressure and must uphold the Constitution. They are under watch.”

During the enforcement of the model code of conduct, all officers are considered to be on deputation to the EC and report directly to it.

The EC has actively countered unverified allegations during this election. In response to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s accusation of mismanagement and delay in the release of EVM data, the EC described it as a biased and deliberate attempt to create confusion.

“EC cannot be a mute spectator to ‘shoot and scoot’ attacks by politicians, especially when they tend to create confusion in the minds of voters about electoral processes or create a false narrative. People tend to believe senior leaders, who should be responsible and desist from making unverified claims and attacks,” an EC functionary remarked.

On Sunday, the Delhi chief electoral officer refuted Congress leader Ajay Maken’s allegation, made via a post on social media, counting agents of candidates would not be allowed at the assistant returning officer’s table. The Delhi CEO’s office clarified on its official handle stating, “It is clarified that counting agents of candidates are allowed at the tables of RO/AROs.”

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