New Delhi: The Election Commission has rejected Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh’s request for a week’s extension to provide evidence supporting his allegations against Union Minister Amit Shah. Ramesh has been given until 7 pm today to submit his response and evidence, following his claim that Shah had intimidated district officers ahead of the vote counting scheduled for tomorrow.
The Election Commission stated that no complaints had been received from any district magistrates or officials regarding the issue. Ramesh’s allegations, according to the Commission, carry serious implications for the integrity of the counting process.
“Your allegation that attempts have been made to influence the District Magistrates of around 150 Parliamentary Constituencies, who are also the ROs/DEOs, has serious connotation and direct bearing on the sanctity of the counting process, scheduled for tomorrow,” the Commission said in its response.
The Commission emphasized that no district magistrates had reported any undue influence. “Therefore, the Commission hereby outrightly rejects your request for time extension,” the letter read. In the absence of a response by the deadline, the Commission warned that it would assume Ramesh has no substantive evidence to provide and would proceed with appropriate action.
Following the conclusion of the election on Saturday, Ramesh accused Shah, the BJP’s chief strategist, of calling and intimidating district magistrates and collectors. He claimed that Shah had contacted 150 of them in a post on X, describing the actions as “blatant and brazen intimidation.”
The Election Commission responded promptly, demanding that Ramesh provide details and evidence to support his claims. “You being a responsible, experienced and very senior leader of a National Party must have made such public statement, just before the day of counting, based on facts/ information you believe to be true,” the Commission wrote.
“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,” the Commission added.
The Election Commission underscored the importance of maintaining the sanctity of the vote-counting process, noting that public statements casting doubt on this process must be addressed in the larger public interest.
