New Delhi: The Congress on Saturday put a question mark on independence of the Election Commission of India (ECI), expressing its doubts due to postponement of the press conference for announcing the assembly elections in five states. In a tweet, its chief spokesman Randeep Singh Surjewala said he was putting three facts and “draw your own conclusions.”
The facts he stated are:
1. ECI announces a PC at 12.30 today (Saturday) to announce election dates to the 5 states.
2. PM Modi is addressing a rally in Ajmer, Rajasthan at 1 pm today.
3. ECI suddenly changes the time of announcement and PC to 3 pm.
A sensitive Chief Election Commissioner Om Prakash Rawat took this issue first, stating that the timing of the press conference was changed due to “certain compulsions. As regards political statements, he said, “They see politics in everything. We have no comments.” He also vehemently denied any pressure of the govt to change the timing. Explaining the compulsions, he said the ticklish issue of Telangana created problem as the final publication of its electoral rolls was slated on October 8 but the EC was informed that it will be delayed to October 12 and also because the High Court has to clear the rolls before their publication.
Gehlot said an earlier indication was that the EC will declare dates for the Assembly elections in five states on October 5, but it was deferred to October 6 in view of Modi’s public meeting on October 6 and only to accommodate this public meeting, the declared press conference at 12.30 pm was changed to 3 pm. “How far will the EC accommodate Modi,” Gehlot asked.