Chouhan Accuses Congress of Undermining Election Integrity

Chouhan’s critique, delivered via a video statement, centers on the assertion that the Congress party intentionally casts doubt on constitutional processes to mask its own electoral failures. He specifically challenged the opposition's call to return to paper ballots, characterizing the move as an attempt to regress to an era of booth capturing and widespread electoral malpractice. By advocating for the abandonment of Electronic Voting Machines, the BJP leader argued, the opposition seeks to dismantle technological advancements that ensure transparency in modern Indian elections.

The minister also defended the current appointment process for Election Commissioners, noting that it now operates under a formal Act of Parliament rather than the unilateral executive discretion he claims characterized previous Congress-led administrations. These comments come against a backdrop of internal tensions at the Election Commission, where reports indicated that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had recorded internal objections regarding voter registration processes. While the Commission has dismissed these reports as standard administrative discourse, the INDIA bloc continues to organize nationwide demonstrations, with a major protest scheduled in New Delhi for November 1.