ECI decides against polls in summer, says failed to curb ‘false narratives’ on poll process

New Delhi/Hyderabad: In a press conference on Monday, the Election Commission of India (ECI) said that it was a wrong step to conduct elections in the summer. During the press meeting, chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar dared the Opposition to give proof of allegations made against the ECI such as manipulation of voter turnout data.

Discussing the data on the polling conducted across the country, a day before the 2024 Lok Sabha election results on June 4, the CEC said that they have failed to curb the ‘false narratives’ about the elections.

No summer elections

“Going forward, the election commission would be mindful of not conducting the General Elections in the hot summer months,” said Rajiv Kumar.

Ideally, the 2024 elections ought to have been completed a month earlier to avoid the challenging weather conditions faced this time, he added.

Plans to check muscle and money power

The CEC said that the poll panel would be far more prepared to tackle the fake and mischievous narratives that were directed at the ECI.

“We had plans in place to check the muscle power, money power, spread of misinformation, and ensure strict implementation of Model Code of Conduct but failed to handle the attacks by fake narrative,” he said.

ECI dared the Opposition to share evidence

Rajiv Kumar dared the Opposition to share evidence of allegations that returning officers (ROs) and district magistrates (DMs) were influenced to corrupt the poll process so that the panel could take action against them.

“The Opposition should also tell the commission about those trying to influence the poll process before the counting of votes has begun,” Kumar said at a press conference. He was flanked by election commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and SS Sandhu.

“You cannot spread a rumour and bring everyone under a cloud of suspicion,” Kumar warned.

‘Ready to deal with foreign influences but missed handling internal influences’

The ECI made preparations to deal with any ‘foreign attempts’ to influence the poll process but have realised that the allegations have come from within the country itself, the CEC said, in an apparent dig at the Opposition’s claims.

Taking exception to allegations that district magistrates were being influenced, the CEC said, “Those levelling allegations should say which DM was influenced and we will punish them. They should tell us before the counting process begins.”

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh had alleged that home minister Amit Shah had been calling district magistrates and collectors and indulging in ‘blatant and brazen’ intimidation. District magistrates and collectors are the ROs of their respective districts during the election.

Ramesh claimed that Shah had already spoken with 150 DMs or collectors.

‘Accepted all multi-party demands’

The CEC said that ECI had accepted all demands made by the multi-party delegation that met the panel on Sunday and asserted that the issues raised by them were part of the election process going on for seven decades and can be found in the election manuals.

“This process has been going on for 70 years... We have instructed every RO/ARO. These are our orders and they are no joke… Everyone has been instructed to follow the handbook/manuals,” Kumar said.

Concerns about EVMs and voter turnout data

“There has been a pattern about questions being raised about the usage of EVMs, voter turnout data etc. since the 2019, 2023 and 2024 elections. These fake narratives and spreading of negativity are affecting the poll process,” the CEC said.

Postal ballots

Replying to a query on demands by some political parties to release postal ballot results first after the counting begins, Rajiv Kumar said that the commission cannot change rules midway and that the system has been followed since the 1960s when the postal ballot system was first introduced.

31.2 crore women voted in 2024

At the beginning of the meeting, the CEC highlighted incredible stories of the 2024 electoral process that was completed in seven phases beginning April 11.

The ECI members, led by the CEC, gave a standing ovation to all the women voters in the country who exercised their franchise; the number being a record 31.2 crores.

The ECI also declared that the overall voter turnout of 64.2 crores was a world record among all democratic nations. He said that 1.5 crore polling staff and 68,000 monitoring teams, overcoming all types of challenges ensured free and fair elections.

100 press notes and advisory

He said this was the first time the ECI had issued around 100 press releases and advisories during the polling period.

Repolling at 39 places

Rajeev Kumar said, for the first time very few places required repolling. “There was no repolling in 27 states and only in 39 places repolling was required of which 25 were in Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur,” he said. In 2019, repolling was held in 540 places across India.

‘Rs 10,000 crores of money power curbed’

Rajiv Kumar said that they were successful in curbing money power to the tune of Rs 10,000 crores, which was being used to lure voters in the form of cash, liquor and freebies. As much as Rs 4,391 crores worth of drugs were seized, curbing the drug menace successfully. He said they were successful in countering misinformation and fake news during elections.

Deepfakes and AI images

Though we anticipated the usage of deepfakes and AI doctored images, videos and clips to misguide the voters, it was not seen, the CEC said.

Counting on June 4

Commenting on the counting of votes on June 4, the CEC said that it would be robust and would involve the participation of candidates at every stage to dispel all kinds of doubts. He further informed that the poll panel conceded to various demands put forth by political parties that called on the commission on June 2 regarding the counting process.