Congress to challenge Haryana election results, cites irregularities
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Following its defeat in the Haryana elections, the Congress party has announced plans to approach the Election Commission of India (ECI) with complaints regarding what it claims are irregularities in the electoral process.
Senior leader Jairam Ramesh expressed shock at the results, suggesting they do not reflect the public's desire for change.
"The results are unexpected and contradict the mood on the ground. The people of Haryana were seeking transformation, but the outcome suggests otherwise," Ramesh said on Tuesday. He further alleged that authorities were intimidated, leading to Congress losing key constituencies.
Ramesh highlighted issues with the counting process and Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), citing complaints from three districts - Hisar, Mahendragarh, and Panipat - regarding malfunctioning machines and inconsistent results. Congress plans to compile these complaints and submit them to the ECI soon.
Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera echoed these concerns, describing the election as "a victory for manipulation and a defeat for democracy." Khera pointed to EVM issues and irregularities in the counting process, stating that Congress candidates have already lodged complaints with local officials.
Khera added, "Serious questions have been raised about the fairness of this election. What we’ve seen in Haryana is a subversion of the democratic process."
In addition to its focus on Haryana, Congress is monitoring developments in Jammu and Kashmir, where the National Conference-Congress alliance has won a clear mandate. Ramesh emphasized that their priority in the region is the restoration of statehood.
Earlier, Congress raised concerns with the ECI about a delay in updating election results on the commission's website, but the ECI dismissed these claims, assuring that the process was conducted transparently under strict oversight.
According to the latest ECI data, the BJP is set to win at least 48 seats in Haryana, securing a third consecutive term in government.