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A new political storm has erupted as the Delhi Election draws near. Arvind Kejriwal, Chief Minister and leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of instructing its seven Members of Parliament (MPs) to manipulate the electoral roll by adding fake votes. This explosive allegation comes just a day after the Election Commission dismissed any possibility of electoral roll manipulation.
Kejriwal’s Allegations Against BJP
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Arvind Kejriwal stated that the BJP, which he referred to as the "Gaali Galauj Party," has tasked its MPs with the goal of creating fraudulent votes in the New Delhi Legislative Assembly. Kejriwal expressed concerns over the potential surge of fake vote applications in the coming days and urged vigilance from all quarters.
He added that Atishi, a senior AAP leader and Delhi's Education Minister, has sought an urgent meeting with the Chief Election Commissioner to address these allegations. Kejriwal’s statement read:
"Let's see how many applications for making new votes come in the next few days. Everyone should keep an eye on this. Atishi ji has sought time to meet the chief election commissioner. We hope we will get time soon."
सूत्रों के मुताबिक गाली गलौज पार्टी ने अपने सातों सांसदों को अगले कुछ दिनों में नई दिल्ली विधान सभा में फ़र्ज़ी वोट बनवाने के लिए टारगेट दिए हैं। देखते हैं अगले कुछ दिनों में कितने नए वोट बनाने के आवेदन आते हैं। सब लोग इस पर नज़र रखें।
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) January 8, 2025
आतिशी जी ने मुख्य चुनाव आयुक्त से मिलने का…
Election Commission’s Response
The Election Commission (EC), led by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, responded firmly to these claims. Kumar reiterated that the electoral process in India is robust, transparent, and tamper-proof. Addressing the allegations, he stated:
"Indian voters are extremely aware... Stories are going around regarding electoral rolls, even now. Almost 70 steps are there...in which political parties and candidates remain with us. All the claims and objections that come up are shared with all the political parties. No deletion can be done without Form 7."
Kumar also dismissed concerns regarding the manipulation of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), asserting that these devices are foolproof and immune to tampering. He added that the return to paper ballots would be a "regressive" step for the country's electoral system.
The Context of Kejriwal's Allegations
This is not the first time that the Delhi Election has been marred by allegations of electoral roll tampering. Earlier this month, Kejriwal accused the BJP of attempting to delete voters' names from the electoral rolls in the New Delhi assembly constituency. Kejriwal’s allegations gained traction due to the high stakes in the constituency, where he is set to contest against BJP’s Parvesh Verma.
The allegations have further heated up the already intense political battle between AAP and BJP, with both parties eyeing the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections scheduled for February 5. The counting of votes will take place on February 8.
EVMs: Reliable or Controversial?
The Chief Election Commissioner emphasized that EVMs are secure and reliable, stating:
"There is no evidence of unreliability or any drawback in the EVMs... There is no question of introducing a virus or bug in the EVM. Allegations of tempering are baseless."
This statement seeks to reassure voters amid rising skepticism about EVMs’ integrity, fueled by political allegations. The EC firmly stands by its claim that EVMs eliminate the possibility of invalid or manipulated votes, making them essential to India’s democratic process.
What Lies Ahead for the Delhi Election?
As Delhi heads into a single-phase election on February 5, these allegations have heightened the political drama. Both parties are gearing up for a fierce battle, and the focus now shifts to how the Election Commission handles these claims. While the EC’s reassurances aim to strengthen voter confidence, the allegations have added a layer of controversy that could influence public opinion.
