EC Asks Jairam Ramesh To Prove Intimidation Allegations Against Amit Shah

The Election Commission (EC) on Sunday firmly responded to Congress leader Jairam Ramesh's accusations that Home Minister Amit Shah had been intimidating district magistrates (DMs) and returning officers (ROs) before vote counting.

The EC has asked Ramesh to provide evidence and specifics about the DMs allegedly contacted by Shah and the basis for his information.

In a letter to Ramesh, the EC stressed that the vote-counting process is a "sacred duty" and that public statements from senior leaders could undermine public confidence.

The commission noted that no DM had reported any attempts of undue influence and requested Ramesh to share any concrete details he has.

“You, being a responsible, experienced and very senior leader of a national party, must have made such public statement, just before the day of counting, based on facts/information you believe to be true. It is requested that details of 150 DMs to whom such calls have been allegedly made by the home minister along with the factual matrix/basis of your information are shared by 1900 hours today... ie June 2, so that appropriate action can be taken,” the EC has been quoted as saying.

Ramesh had claimed in a post on X on Saturday that the “the outgoing home minister has been calling up DMs/collectors and had spoken to 150 DMs thus far”.

“This is blatant and brazen intimidation, showing how desperate the BJP is. Let it be very clear: the will of the people shall prevail, and on June 4, Modi, Shah, and BJP will exit, and the INDIA Janbandhan will be victorious. Officers should not get under any pressure and must uphold the Constitution. They are under watch,” the aide to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and the party's communications in-charge alleged. .

During the enforcement of the model code of conduct, all officers report directly to the EC, being deemed on deputation to the commission.