Congress’s lies and misinformation on ECI exposed by the Commission’s clear statement: Tarun Chugh

Chandigarh, September 27, 2026: BJP National Office In-Charge and MP Tarun Chugh strongly criticised the allegations being levelled by the Congress and Rahul Gandhi against the Election Commission of India over the past several days, saying that the joint press note issued after the meeting of the full Commission has exposed the basis of the Congress narrative. He said Congress had built serious allegations against a constitutional institution on the basis of a media report, while the Commission has clarified that all major decisions relating to the Special Intensive Revision were taken unanimously by the full Commission.

Tarun Chugh said that a full Commission meeting was held on September 26 with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Dr. S. S. Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi. The joint statement issued thereafter clarified that the original order for the Special Intensive Revision issued on June 24, 2025, as well as the schedules for its various phases, were approved unanimously by the full Commission. The Commission also referred to the Supreme Court’s order of May 27, 2026, in relation to the SIR process.

He said Rahul Gandhi and the Congress had attempted to turn the letter addressed to the Cabinet Secretary into a major political issue by linking it with the Special Intensive Revision and the policy functioning of the Election Commission. The Commission has now clarified that the letter was not related to any policy matter of the Commission or its IT Division, but concerned the functioning of an officer on deputation to the Election Commission. The Commission has further clarified that the work redistribution orders issued by the concerned officer were not implemented after directions from the two Election Commissioners and that the oversight of the IT Division by the Deputy Election Commissioner was never withdrawn.

Tarun Chugh said Rahul Gandhi must now explain why an issue which he presented as being connected with the Special Intensive Revision and the functioning of the Election Commission was, according to the Commission itself, neither related to the SIR nor to any policy matter of the Commission. He said political differences are natural in a democracy, but verifying facts before making allegations against constitutional institutions is also a political responsibility.

He said Congress has also continued to create confusion over Form 6. The Election Commission has clarified that the declaration attached to Form 6 for the Special Intensive Revision has been considered and upheld by the Supreme Court. During the non-SIR period, the prescribed procedure under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, will continue to apply.

Tarun Chugh said the Election Commission has also chosen to review ECINet rather than evade the questions raised about it. The Commission has decided to constitute a committee including an independent IIT/IIIT expert to review ECINet and ensure that the system operates in accordance with the relevant laws and rules.

He said Congress must introspect on its own political record before repeatedly questioning electoral institutions. When Congress and its allies win elections, the same Election Commission, the same electoral rolls and the same electoral process are accepted. But when the results do not go in their favour, questions are raised about EVMs, electoral rolls and the Election Commission. Democracy requires political parties to accept both victory and defeat.

Tarun Chugh said Congress must stop blaming constitutional institutions for its political weaknesses and electoral defeats. He said that when Congress wins elections in states such as Kerala and Telangana, the credibility of the electoral process is not questioned. Yet when the electoral mandate goes against Congress elsewhere, the same institutions suddenly become suspect.

He said Rahul Gandhi should focus on strengthening his party among the people rather than repeatedly placing the Election Commission and other constitutional institutions under suspicion. Accepting the verdict of the people is a fundamental requirement of democracy. Electoral defeats cannot be turned into allegations against the institutions responsible for conducting elections.

He said Congress must now stop the politics of allegations and face the facts. The Election Commission’s clarification is on record, the judicial record is available, and the Commission has clearly stated its position on the Special Intensive Revision. Congress must decide whether it will respect democratic institutions or continue questioning them whenever it faces a political setback.