New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has firmly rejected allegations made by the Congress party regarding irregularities in the recent Haryana elections, labeling them as "baseless, misplaced, and devoid of facts." In a direct communication to the Congress party, the ECI urged the party to refrain from making unfounded allegations during critical electoral processes.

The Commission expressed concern over the Congress party’s pattern of raising "generic" doubts about the electoral process, emphasizing the need for concrete evidence to support any claims. The ECI highlighted that irresponsible allegations, particularly during sensitive times such as polling and counting days, can incite public unrest, turbulence, and chaos.

In its statement, the ECI referenced five specific instances from the past year where similar allegations were made without substantiation, urging the Congress party—known for its long-standing political experience—to exercise due diligence and avoid habitual attacks on the electoral process.

During the counting of votes in Haryana assembly polls, Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh has stirred controversy by accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of attempting to manipulate the election verdict in the Haryana. 

Ramesh also submitted a memorandum to the EC, pointing out alleged irregularities in the voting process in 20 assembly constituencies in Haryana. Congress leader Pawan Khera also claimed that the EVMs showing a 99 per cent battery charge were the ones where the Congress candidates lost, while the machines with lower battery levels showed victories for the party.

The Election Commission, however, remained firm, reiterating that the machines are reliable, and the complaints raised by Congress will be reviewed, though no evidence of tampering has surfaced.