‘Ill-founded allegations’: EC dismisses Congress concerns over slow counting in Haryana

“There is nothing on record to substantiate your ill-founded allegation of slowdown in updating of results. Your memorandum also does not bring out any contrary facts as to the delay at any of the constituencies in Haryana or J&K,” it said.

Ramesh, the Congress general secretary in-charge of communications, had written to the Election Commission earlier on Tuesday about the slow pace of updates from the counting centres.

Former Haryana chief minister and Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda also raised the issue of slow updates.

“Congress is going to get a majority in the state, and in several seats where the party is winning, the data is not getting updated… For example Ramgarh… I request all my counting agents to stay where they are, and (assure them) that we are getting a majority,” said Hooda at a press briefing.

The EC pointed out that the party had raised a similar concern during the counting of votes for Lok Sabha elections on June 4, to which the EC had replied by saying the counting was being carried out as per Rule 60 of the Conduct of Election Rules.

The Commission said the results available on its results website showed the pace of the counting. “Approximately 25 rounds across all the constituencies are being updated every five minutes, which testifies dissemination of counting process in a speedy manner…the Commission unequivocally rejects your attempt to surreptitiously give credence to irresponsible, unfounded and uncorroborated malafide narratives,” the EC wrote.

According to EC sources, the Commission had not received any complaints regarding counting from any counting centre or candidate. As per Rule 60 of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, the counting is to be carried out continuously in presence of the candidates or their election agents.

Rule 60 reads: “The returning officer shall, as far as practicable, proceed continuously with the counting and shall, during any intervals when the counting has to be suspended, keep the ballot papers, packets and all other papers relating to the election sealed with his own seal and the seals of such candidates or election agents as may desire to affix their seals and take sufficient precaution for their safe custody during such intervals.”