Mumbai, 23 Apr (HS): The Election Commission of

India clarified that the elections in Maharashtra were held as per the rules. There was no manipulation in the process. The Commission also snubbed the Congress party leaders to refrain from making misleading statements and confusing the

people.

The EC stated that 6,40,87,588 voters participated

in the voting process between 7 am and 6 pm, which comes to an average of 58

lakh voters per hour. In the last two hours out of the expected average of 116

lakh voters only 65 lakh voters cast their votes. Although the voting during

the last two hours is larger, malpractice in it is not evident, based on the

figures stated above.

The objections received 90 days after publishing the final voters’ list were few. The Congress party did not file any major complaint, the EC said. All the political parties had appointed 1.03,727 Booth Level Observers (BLO) on 97,325 polling booths, including 27.009 BLOs by the Congress party. The allegations levelled by Congress and its leaders

are baseless and misleading, the EC has said.

—————

Hindusthan Samachar / Ajay Vasant Mardikar