Tue Jan 07 19:36:28 UTC 2025: ## Election Commission Rejects AAP’s Delhi Poll Allegations, Emphasizes Transparency
**New Delhi, January 8, 2025** – The Election Commission of India (ECI) has dismissed allegations of voter roll manipulation in Delhi ahead of the upcoming elections. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar stated that no names can be deleted from the electoral rolls without a rigorous process involving documentation, field verification, and opportunities for individuals to be heard. He emphasized the transparency and accountability built into every stage of the electoral roll process, asserting that claims and objections are reviewed and shared with all political parties, and are also publicly accessible online.
The ECI’s response comes after the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) accused the BJP of orchestrating the deletion of long-term residents’ names from the voter rolls. While the AAP claims to have submitted evidence to the ECI, the CEC countered that unsubstantiated claims of thousands of deletions are misleading, emphasizing that the EC’s processes preclude manipulation.
The ECI also announced that it will inform the Cabinet Secretary that no Delhi-specific provisions in the upcoming Union Budget should be allowed that could compromise a level playing field during the election, given the budget’s timing relative to the election schedule.
Furthermore, the CEC urged political candidates and party leaders to refrain from making derogatory remarks against women and to avoid involving children in election campaigns. This follows a comment made by BJP candidate Ramesh Bidhuri about Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, which the CEC condemned, albeit noting that such condemnation only applies once the model code of conduct is in effect.
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