Stating that Indian elections were a miracle, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said on Monday that the country set a record with 64.2 crore people voting to elect the new government.
"India created a world record with 64.2 crore voters, including 31.2 crore women, participating in the Lok Sabha elections this year," Kumar said, while giving the voters a standing ovation. "This is a historic moment for all of us. This is 1.5 times the voters of all G7 countries and 2.5 times the voters of 27 countries in the European Union (EU). We thank everyone who took part in this festival of democracy. The Indian elections are indeed a miracle. Having no parallel in the world," Rajiv Kumar said.
He added that the meticulous work of the election personnel ensured that there were fewer repolls; just 39 repolls in Lok Sabha polls in 2024 as opposed to 540 in 2019. Of these, 25 were in two states only," he stated.
He also thanked the people of Jammu and Kashmir for their faith in the electoral process. "Voter turnout in the state is the highest in the last 4 decades," he said.
The CEC said the largest-ever global delegation of 75 observers from 23 countries was thrilled by India's electoral marvel, which showcased unparalleled scale, meticulous planning, and integrity in the conduct of elections. "4Ms: Identified, Confronted, and Tackled Muscle, Money, Misinformation and MCC Violations - impediments to free, fair, and transparent elections were addressed and responded to," he said.
CEC slams Jairam Ramesh
Rajiv Kumar also hit out at Congress Jairam Ramesh for his allegations that Home Minister Amit Shah had rung up 150 District Magistrates after the election process was completed. He said it was not right to spread rumours and doubt everyone.
"Can someone influence them (district magistrates/returning officers) all? Tell us who did this. We will punish the person who did it...It is not right that you spread a rumour and doubt everyone," Rajiv Kumar said at a press briefing.
#WATCH | On Congress leader Jairam Ramesh's allegations that Union HM called DMs/ROs (Returning Officers), CEC Rajiv Kumar says, "...Can someone influence them (DMs/ROs) all? Tell us who did this. We will punish the person who did it...It is not right that you spread a rumour and… pic.twitter.com/iejNzcZQ2G
— ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2024
This came as Ramesh alleged on Saturday that Shah has been calling up district magistrates and collectors and indulging in "blatant and brazen" intimidation. District magistrates and collectors are the returning officers of their respective districts during elections. Ramesh alleged that Shah had already spoken with 150 DMs or collectors and added that this shows "how desperate the BJP is".
Following this, the Election Commission sought factual information from Jairam Ramesh. In a letter to Ramesh, the poll panel has asked him to share details of his claim by 7 pm on Sunday.
