"This participatory manner of promoting spirit of democracy...": Abhishek Manu Singhvi praises ECI

New Delhi [India], June 3 (ANI): Praising the Election Commission of India for hearing out the concerns of the INDIA bloc, Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi on Monday said that the participatory manner of promoting the spirit of democracy works best in the long term.
Singhvi expressed his satisfaction after Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar at a press conference said that process of the postal ballots will start before the counting of Electronic voting machines.
"As informed, I am happy and proud to have spoken on behalf of the multi-party delegation which went yesterday to the Election Commission of India. We are also grateful to the ECI for giving us time promptly on a Sunday and for hearing us patiently. What one is happiest about the most is that a very glaring issue of democracy, namely - counting postal ballots first, has been graciously and promptly agreed to by the ECI, one or two days before the counting of votes and shall be implemented tomorrow. This is the participatory manner of promoting the spirit of democracy in a non adversarial fashion, which works best in the long term," Abhishek Manu Singhvi posted on X.
Earlier today, CEC Rajiv Kumar said that on all centres, counting of postal ballots will start first.
"After only half an hour, EVM counting will start. It happened in 2019, it happened in all 2022 Assembly elections, it happened yesterday also in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim," CEC said.
A delegation of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc leaders met with the Election Commission of India on Sunday to discuss issues related to the counting of votes. In their meeting with the poll body, the INDIA bloc said that ECI should issue clear, detailed guidelines for the counting process on June 4.
After meeting with ECI, Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said, "The vital importance of counting postal ballots first, and declaring the results of postal ballots first. This is very clearly stated in the statutory rule. This has been understood by the Election Commission over the years. Our complaint is that this statutory rule of this 2019 guideline has been given goodbye."
Other demands, as stated by INDIA bloc, were clarification on counting postal ballots first as per Conduct of Election Rules 1961, ensuring CCTV-monitored safe movement of Control Units, verify date/time on Control Units and confirm voting start/end times, specify slips, tags, and details for counting agents; Display poll date, candidates, and total votes before candidate-wise results and avoid rushing; allow agents to record results before proceeding. Strengthen transparency and faith in the electoral process.
Lok Sabha elections were held in seven phases from April 19 with Prime Minister Narendra Modi steering the BJP campaign. Votes will be counted on June 4. (ANI)