'Deliberate attempt to malign poll body in Delhi polls': EC responds to AAP charges

Election Commission

Responding to former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal's allegations, the Election Commission on Tuesday said that there is a constant attempt to malign the image of Election Commission of India (ECI)  by deliberately applying pressure tactics.

The poll watchdog further noted that the ECI is not a single-member body and it functions under a strict constitutional remit. The sharp rebuttal on X came a day  AAP supremo Kejriwal accused Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar of having greed for post-retirement appointment.

Hours before the close of the election campaign on Monday, AAP Supremo Arvind Kejriwal alleged a conspiracy to manipulate EVMs in the February 5 Assembly election, claiming that the rivals are planning to erase about 10 per cent of his party's votes. He called upon AAP supporters to vote in large numbers, Kejriwal said, in a video, “Every single party supporter should step out and vote on February 5.”

"Today the way the Election Commission has surrendered before the Bharatiya Janata Party, it seems as if the Election Commission does not exist. This is raising a very big question. It is justified for people to have questions in their minds that Rajiv Kumar Ji, who is the Chief Election Commissioner, is retiring at the end of this month. What kind of post has been offered to him post-retirement? The post of governor, the post of president, what kind of post can it be?" Arvind Kejriwal said at a press conference.

"Action on issues raised by political parties & candidates are taken in each instance by over 1.5 lakh officials in #DelhiAssemblyElection2025 who are functioning within established legal framework, robust processes & SoPs ensuring fair play&non partisan conduct.

Additionally, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) in Delhi on Sunday dismissed AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal’s allegation of widespread intimidation of AAP workers by the BJP in Delhi, with only days remaining before the Assembly elections. The top poll officer said that the issues raised in Arvind Kejriwal’s letter had been reviewed, and no written complaints regarding the allegations in the New Delhi Assembly constituency had been found.