Congress alleges ‘rigging’ in vote counting process, EC clarifies

"If true, this is bigger than the alleged EVM rigging! I am flagging this issue for all candidates!" Ajay Maken wrote in a post on X.

AICC treasurer Ajay Maken. (File Photo)

Congress has alleged ‘mass rigging’ in the process for counting of votes in the Lok Sabha elections, with MP Ajay Maken claiming that ‘Candidate’s Counting Agents’ would not be allowed at the Assistant Returning Officer’s (ARO) table for the first time.

“If true, this is bigger than the alleged EVM rigging! I am flagging this issue for all candidates!” Maken wrote in a social media post on Saturday.

The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer of Delhi responded to Maken’s claim with a clarification saying: “It is clarified that Counting Agents of Candidates are allowed at tables of RO/AROs.”

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“Many Thanks for this much-needed clarification. Your Returning Officers in Delhi were in denial mode till this morning,” Maken responded.

It is clarified that Counting Agents of Candidates are allowed at the tables of RO/AROs.

— CEO, Delhi Office (@CeodelhiOffice) June 2, 2024

Congress General Secretary in-charge Communications Jairam Ramesh also shared Maken’s post, captioning it “mass rigging”.

As per rules laid down by the Election Commission of India, the counting of votes is to be done by the Returning Officer (RO), who is an officer or a local authority nominated by the Commission for each constituency.

In most cases, the RO is the District Magistrate of the concerned district.

AROs are also legally empowered to supervise the counting, and they take over especially if the RO has been assigned more than one constituency.

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A candidate is allowed to appoint his counting agents, who may be present at each of the counting places and counting tables, and watch his interests, the Election Commission states.

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