Congress Questions ECI Over 'Slow Upload' Of Haryana Results On Site, Poll Body Responds

The Congress on Tuesday filed a formal complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI) about a delay in publishing the results of the Haryana assembly election, with party leader Jairam Ramesh calling the tactics “mind games”. The charge came after a dramatic turnaround in which the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) clawed back to take a comfortable lead in the state after initial trends showed Congress leading.

The crux of the Congress argument was that the trends on the ECI website were way behind the actual counting and that the local administration could be under pressure.

“Like the Lok Sabha elections, in Haryana, we are again witnessing slowing down of uploading up-to-date trends on the ECI website. Is the BJP trying to build pressure on administration by sharing outdated and misleading trends,” Congress leader Jairam Ramesh posted on X.

Responding to the charges, ECI sources told News18 that the allegations were baseless and the trends were being updated on the website constantly. The poll body also said during the Lok Sabha elections, it had responded to Abhishek Manu Singhvi when similar charges were levelled.

Exit polls had predicted a loss for the BJP, which has ruled the northern state for two consecutive terms. The party was trailing in the initial trends but came back as the day progressed to take the lead. By 12.20pm, it was leading in around 50 of the state’s 90 seats, much above the majority mark.

However, the Congress remained hopeful, with senior Haryana leader Kumari Selja saying she did not see the trends as the final result. “The results will change again and Congress will emerge victorious,” she said.

After its complaint to the poll body, the Congress is planning to visit Haryana’s counting centres where the party is locked in a tough fight. Leaders Bhupinder Hooda, Deepender Hooda and Udai Bhan are likely to visit the centres, sources told CNN-News18.