Indian National Congress Demands Transparency from Election Commission Over Maharashtra Polls

Indian National Congress Demands Transparency from Election Commission Over Maharashtra Polls

New Delhi, June 10, 2025 — The Indian National Congress (INC) has issued a strong press statement questioning the credibility and transparency of the electoral process in Maharashtra following the recently concluded 2024 Assembly elections.

In a powerful article authored by Leader of Opposition Shri Rahul Gandhi and published across several national and regional newspapers, the Congress party raised “grave and legitimate concerns” regarding the conduct of the elections and the role of the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Responding to these concerns, an unsigned letter—claimed to be from the ECI—has surfaced. However, the INC has categorically questioned its authenticity, with Rahul Gandhi criticizing the Commission for not issuing a direct or formal response.

“You are a Constitutional body. Releasing unsigned, evasive notes to intermediaries is not the way to respond to serious questions,” Gandhi said, highlighting the Commission’s perceived lack of transparency.

The Congress statement, signed by party president Mallikarjun Kharge, reaffirmed the party’s commitment to electoral integrity and democratic values. The party has reiterated four critical questions that remain unanswered:

1. Unexplained Voter Surge in Maharashtra

Between 2019 and early 2024, only 31 lakh new voters were added. However, an additional 41 lakh voters appeared on the rolls within just five months between the 2024 Lok Sabha and Maharashtra Assembly elections.
Question: What explains this statistically inconsistent surge?

2. Discrepancy in Voter Turnout Figures

The provisional turnout was reported at 58.73%, while the final turnout jumped to 66%.
Question: Where is the post-5 PM CCTV footage or videography to justify this sudden 7% rise?

3. Dilution of the Election Commissioner Appointment Process

The government altered the panel for appointing Election Commissioners by replacing the Chief Justice of India with the Union Home Minister.
Question: Why was the judiciary excluded from a process designed to ensure institutional independence?

4. Non-Publication of Voter Lists

Final electoral rolls for both the 2024 Lok Sabha and Maharashtra Assembly elections have not been made public.
Question: Why is this crucial data being withheld?

The Congress Party has demanded that the ECI immediately release:

• Complete, digital, machine-readable voter rolls with version history and update timestamps.
• All CCTV footage and videography from polling stations after 5 PM on election day across Maharashtra.

“Transparency is not a favour, it is a constitutional obligation,” said Kharge, emphasizing that opaque procedures and unverifiable data erode public trust. He further added, “The credibility of the Election Commission is at stake. The citizens of India deserve answers. The integrity of our democracy demands it.”

As the controversy intensifies, political observers and civil society alike await a formal and verifiable response from the Election Commission of India.