New Delhi, October 8: Congress leader Jairam Ramesh's allegations regarding a slowdown in updating vote-counting trends for the Haryana Legislative Assembly elections have been strongly refuted by the Election Commission of India (ECI). Ramesh had earlier claimed that trends on the ECI website were outdated and suggested that the BJP might be trying to pressure the administration.
In its response, the ECI termed these claims "irresponsible, unfounded, and uncorroborated." It emphasized that the entire vote-counting process was proceeding transparently under the supervision of candidates, observers, and micro-observers, as per the statutory rules. The Commission pointed out that no evidence of delays in any constituency had been provided by Ramesh, either in his memorandum or otherwise.
The ECI further stated that updates were occurring regularly, with around 25 rounds of results being updated every five minutes, ensuring a swift dissemination of information. It also referenced similar concerns raised by Congress during the 2024 General Elections, which were likewise dismissed for lack of evidence.
In conclusion, the ECI reiterated that the counting process was being conducted in line with established rules and regulations, rejecting the allegations as part of a "malafide narrative."