While the last date for submitting the details was on Sunday, Mr. Ramesh sent a letter on Monday, seeking “a short extension of one week to file a detailed reply”.
On Monday, the EC told Mr. Ramesh that his allegation of attempts to influence returning officers had a serious connotation and direct bearing on the sanctity of the counting process scheduled for Tuesday.
“As mentioned in Commission’s letter dated June 2, 2024, no DM has reported any such undue influence as alleged by you.
Mr. Ramesh said in his letter that the concern of the Opposition was about vigilance and that serving officers cannot be put in jeopardy by putting a target on their backs.
These were not charges against the ECI but instead a request to safeguard against such malpractices,” he said, adding that he would provide a detailed reply and sought an extension considering his official duties before the counting date.
The Election Commission (EC), on Monday, declined senior Congress MP Jairam Ramesh’s request for an extension of one week to file a detailed reply to the poll panel’s notice asking him to substantiate his claims that Union Home Minister Amit Shah tried to influence District Magistrates and District Collectors of around 150 Parliamentary Constituencies.
While the last date for submitting the details was on Sunday, Mr. Ramesh sent a letter on Monday, seeking “a short extension of one week to file a detailed reply”.
On Monday, the EC told Mr. Ramesh that his allegation of attempts to influence returning officers had a serious connotation and direct bearing on the sanctity of the counting process scheduled for Tuesday.
“As mentioned in Commission’s letter dated June 2, 2024, no DM has reported any such undue influence as alleged by you. Therefore, the Commission hereby outrightly rejects your request for time extension and directs you to file your response along with the factual matrix/basis of your allegation by 19.00 hours today (Monday), failing which it would be presumed that you have nothing substantive to say in the matter and the Commission would proceed ahead to take appropriate action,” the letter said.
Mr. Ramesh said in his letter that the concern of the Opposition was about vigilance and that serving officers cannot be put in jeopardy by putting a target on their backs.
“Most importantly, the spirit of the concerns raised related to the previously well-documented and high-handed behaviour of the ruling regime in misusing and even intimidating official machinery (detailed complaints of which are on record over these last six years). These were not charges against the ECI but instead a request to safeguard against such malpractices,” he said, adding that he would provide a detailed reply and sought an extension considering his official duties before the counting date.
