EC refuses extra time to Jairam Ramesh to back claims on attempts to influence DMs ahead of vote count

Election Commission denies Congress leader's request for more time to back claims of influencing District Magistrates before vote count.

The Election Commission of India on June 3 refused to grant additional time to Congress leader Jairam Ramesh to back his claims that attempts were made to influence 150 District Magistrates and Collectors ahead of the June 4 vote count for Lok Sabha elections.

The poll panel asked Mr. Ramesh to submit details by Sunday evening of the allegations that he made in a social media post recently. He wrote to the EC on Monday seeking a week more to submit his reply.

In a letter to Mr. Ramesh, the ECI said, “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 7 p.m. today — June 3, 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 ECI said his allegation that attempts have been made to influence the District Magistrates of around 150 parliamentary constituencies, who are also the Returning Officers and District Election Officers, has serious connotation and direct bearing on the sanctity of the counting process scheduled for June 4. The poll agency said no DM has reported any such undue influence as alleged by him.