Patna: Tejashwi Yadav slammed the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday for “not disclosing gender-wise voter turnout data” from the first phase of Bihar Assembly elections.
The first phase of voting, for 121 seats, was held on November 6.
A day ahead of polling for the remaining 122 constituencies, Tejashwi claimed at a press conference that it was “unprecedented” for the election body to delay the release of such information.
“The ECI has not disclosed the gender-wise data of electors who cast their votes on November 6 even after four days have passed from the first phase of assembly polls. This is happening for the first time. Earlier, it was given immediately,” said the RJD leader, who is the chief ministerial candidate of INDIA bloc.
Tejashwi accused the Election commission of “failing to function independently,” alleging that it was acting under the influence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
“The commission has stopped functioning properly under the leadership of the Prime Minister and the Home Minister,” Tejashwi fired.
The RJD leader warned officials against “colluding with the ECI or Amit Shah,” saying they would face “dire consequences” if they interfered in the electoral process. “We will not allow vote theft or dishonesty under any circumstances,” he said.
Despite all his complaints against ECI and the ruling dispensation at the Centre and in Bihar, Tejashwi maintained that the Gatbandhan, an alliance of RJD, Congress and other parties, will emerge victorious when results are declared on November 14.
“We will take oath on November 18,” Tejashwi reiterated.
