ECI is part of the ‘electoral list fraud’, say Siddaramaiah and DKS

Alleging that the Election Commission of India (ECI) was part of the “electoral list fraud”, the Congress has announced that 1.12 crore signatures had been collected from the State as part of the signature campaign against “vote theft” launched by the All India Congress Committee.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar held a joint press conference at the party office and alleged that the Central government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had destroyed all constitutional institutions, including the ECI and probe agencies. All institutions had been functioning as per the directions of the BJP government at the Centre, they charged.

Both leaders explained the methodology used for vote rigging in the State and alleged that the BJP had a proven record “not only in telling lies but also in vote rigging.”

“We will not tolerate this. We will take the path of struggle to protect the values ​​of democracy and the Constitution,” the Chief Minister said.

‘Rahul has exposed it’

They alleged that the BJP had come to power in many States and the Lok Sabha through vote rigging. Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi had convinced the people of the country about vote rigging that had taken place in Haryana with documents after investigation, both the leaders said.

Mr Gandhi had also clearly exposed the vote rigging that took place in the Bengaluru Central Lok Sabha seat, along with documents, the Congress leaders said.

Mr. Shivakumar said, “We have collected signatures from the districts in the State. The campaign went off very well, and we have collected 1.12 crore signatures.”

The KPCC had decided to take the signatures to Delhi on November 10. The party had planned a massive rally at Ram Lila Maidan there on November 25, he said.

The Congress government had decided to hold elections to local bodies through ballot papers, Mr. Shivakumar added.

Aland case

“There were attempts to remove 6,000 votes from the Aland Assembly constituency. Attempts were made to remove the voters from the list using mobile phone numbers from other States. A Special Investigation Team probe was going on,” he said.

Asked why the party had not moved court or submitted an affidavit to the ECI, he said, “We are seeking supplementary documents from the poll panel but they are not giving. Let them provide the documents and then we will submit an affidavit.”

“It is our duty to create awareness about vote theft. We are appointing booth level agents for all booths to prevent vote theft,” the KPCC chief said.

Asked if he would investigate election fraud in the Mahadevapura constituency, he said, “The government does not have to investigate this. The ECI is in charge of the entire process. We have provided evidence.”