Election Commission Slams Congress Video on vote theft as “Misleading”

The Election Commission of India Saturday issued a fact-check against a video posted by the Congress party’s official social media handle, labeling the message tagged “Vote Chor – Gaddi Chhod” as “misleading” and “not in line with existing laws.”

This comes after the Congress party used the slogan extensively during the ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ in Bihar to accuse the ECI of alleged manipulation of election rolls and results.

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The disputed video demanded sharing of CCTV footage from polling stations in Maharashtra. However, the ECI explained that making such footage public would compromise the secrecy of the ballot and the privacy of voters. This could lead to voters facing pressure, discrimination, or intimidation.

The ECI cited a Supreme Court judgment dealing with privacy issues, specifically the Puttaswamy Judgment (2017), which declared the Right to Privacy a fundamental right protected by Article 21 and traceable to Articles 14 and 19 of the Constitution. The Commission emphasized its commitment to upholding the integrity of elections and protecting voter privacy.

According to Section 81 of the Representation of the People Act (RP Act), 1951, an election petition can be filed within 45 days from the declaration of results. In line with this, the ECI retains CCTV footage for 45 days. The Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court have also rejected pleas to provide CCTV footage of polling stations to the public.

The ECI’s decision to fact-check the Congress video highlights the importance of maintaining the integrity of the electoral process. By protecting voter privacy and upholding the law, the ECI ensures that elections are conducted fairly and transparently. The Congress party’s allegations, if found to be baseless, could undermine public trust in the electoral system.