New Delhi, June 21: Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Saturday renewed his criticism of the Election Commission (EC), accusing it of "match-fixing" the electoral process.
His remarks follow a directive by the EC to delete CCTV and webcast footage of the election process 45 days after the conclusion of polls.
Gandhi alleged that the EC's new instructions are an attempt to destroy evidence related to potential irregularities.
“CCTV footage? It was hidden by changing the law. Photo-video of the election? Now, not in one year, but we will destroy it in 45 days. The one who was supposed to provide answers is destroying the evidence. It's clear – the match is fixed,” he said in a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
Calling a manipulated election "poison for democracy," Gandhi stressed the importance of transparency and accountability in the electoral process. He claimed that changes in regulations regarding voter lists and election-related footage raise serious questions about the credibility of the system.
The Election Commission, for its part, had earlier instructed state-level officials to delete election-related video footage after 45 days unless the election results are legally contested within that period. The EC cited concerns over the potential misuse of such data as the basis for its directive.
Gandhi's remarks add to ongoing opposition scrutiny of the electoral process, particularly after the recent general elections, which the Congress party and several other opposition groups have claimed were marred by irregularities.
