the Congress party expressed shock and surprise over the Haryana assembly election results, claiming they raise “serious questions” about the integrity of the democratic process. The party’s general secretary, Jairam Ramesh, stated that the results represent a “victory of manipulation” and subvert the will of the people, as they contradict the expectations for change among Haryana voters.
Main Points
Allegations of Discrepancies in Counting Process
Congress officials pointed out serious discrepancies in the counting process across approximately 14 constituencies. Ramesh highlighted complaints regarding the malfunctioning of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in at least three districts. He stated that the party would approach the Election Commission to address these issues. “Victory has been snatched from us in Haryana,” Ramesh lamented, asserting that the results do not reflect the sentiments of the electorate.
The Congress party’s claims include observations that EVMs with higher battery percentages indicated losses for Congress while those with lower batteries showed wins. Ramesh also criticized a perceived slowdown in updating election trends on the Election Commission’s website, suggesting it was an attempt by the ruling BJP to manipulate public perception.
Election Commission’s Response
In response to these allegations, the Election Commission dismissed them as baseless. The Commission stated that counting is conducted according to statutory provisions and that updates are made approximately every five minutes across all constituencies. They noted that similar concerns had been raised during previous elections and were found to be unfounded.
Like the Lok Sabha elections, in Haryana we are again witnessing slowing down of uploading up-to- date trends on the ECI website. Is the BJP trying to build pressure on administration by sharing outdated and misleading trends @ECISVEEP?
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) October 8, 2024
BJP’s Victory Celebration
Despite Congress’s claims, the BJP celebrated a significant victory, securing a third consecutive term by winning around 48 seats in the 90-member assembly. This outcome defied pre-election exit polls that had predicted a Congress win. BJP leaders attributed their success to effective governance and public welfare policies.
The mood at Congress headquarters shifted dramatically from early celebrations to disappointment as trends began to favor the BJP. Initially buoyant with expectations of victory, party workers quickly transitioned to a more somber atmosphere as it became clear that their hopes were fading.
Implications for Future Elections
Political analysts suggest that this election outcome could have implications for upcoming elections in Delhi and other states. The BJP aims to leverage its success in Haryana to boost its campaign in Delhi, where elections are expected early next year. Conversely, Congress hopes to draw some positives from its increased vote share, which reportedly rose by 11%, despite not forming a government.
Jammu and Kashmir Coalition
In a related development, Ramesh thanked voters in Jammu and Kashmir for their support of the National Conference-Congress alliance. He emphasized that this coalition would prioritize restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and ensuring a transparent government.
