The Election Commission again came under fire from opposition parties after reports emerged of EVMs being transported without security in parts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The poll body called the allegations “baseless”.
Speaking at a book launch event here Monday, Mukherjee said that right from the first election commissioner Sukumar Sen to the present election commissioners, the institution is working very well. He said all the three commissioners are appointed by the executive and they are doing their job well. Mukherjee said, "you cannot criticise them, it was a perfect conduct of elections".
However, in his statement today, he reminded the Commission that the safety and security of EVMs were its responsibility. He advised the poll body to put all speculations that challenge the very basis of democracy to rest.
His remarks come after Congress President Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Election Commission's "capitulation" before Prime Minister Narendra Modi is obvious and the poll watchdog is not feared and respected anymore.
The EC has been criticized by the opposition parties for being allegedly biased towards the BJP.
The opposition stepped up its criticism of the poll panel after Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa wrote to the Chief Election Commissioner stating he will be recusing himself from EC meetings as his dissent was not being recorded on clearances given by the poll panel to the PM and BJP chief Amit Shah over alleged poll code violations.
After exit polls predicted victory for the BJP-led NDA, many opposition parties have also discredited the polling process and alleged irregularities in EVM machines. Opposition parties are also visiting the Election Commission to meet officials over this issue, later today.
(With additional information from Agencies)