EC Can Intervene If Candidate Is Pressured to Withdraw: Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 3rd June. The Election Commission (EC) can intervene if a candidate is pressured into withdrawing their nomination, but not when the withdrawal is consensual, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar stated today. This response came amid a controversy over the poll body’s decision to declare BJP’s Surat candidate, Mukesh Dalal, elected after the Congress nominee’s candidacy was rejected and other candidates withdrew their nominations.

The BJP’s unopposed victory in Surat has sparked a massive row, with the Congress accusing the ruling party in Gujarat of using “wrong and undue influence” to pressure candidates into withdrawing. Critics argue that this situation denies voters the opportunity to exercise their right to vote, including the option to choose “None of the Above” (NOTA).

At a press conference ahead of counting day, Mr. Kumar was questioned about whether declaring a candidate elected unopposed violated the spirit of the 2013 Supreme Court judgment on the NOTA option. The landmark judgment emphasized the importance of giving voters the chance to reject all candidates if they deemed none suitable, thus compelling political parties to nominate more credible candidates.

Responding to whether the EC would consider amending rules to ensure no candidate is declared unopposed, Mr. Kumar stated, “The poll body wants contests on every seat. But if candidates decide to withdraw nominations, what can we do? If they are under pressure, if they are locked up or forced, that’s where our role comes in. But if they are doing it of their own will, how would I…”

Mr. Kumar further explained that it would not be right to mandate an election in every case where there is only one candidate but stressed the necessity of preventing forced withdrawals. “Therefore, if you want a law according to which there will be no election where there is only one candidate, I do not think that would be right. But it is a must to ensure that no one is forcefully removed as a candidate,” he added.

Addressing allegations from Congress leader Jairam Ramesh that Union Home Minister Amit Shah called district magistrates after voting to intimidate them, Mr. Kumar dismissed the claims as baseless. He argued it was inappropriate to spread “rumour” and create doubt about the integrity of electoral officials. “Can someone influence them all? Can anyone influence 500-600 people? Tell us who did this. We will punish the person who did it. They should tell the details before counting the votes. It is not right that you spread a rumour and doubt everyone,” Mr. Kumar asserted.

As the counting day approaches, the EC’s stance on these contentious issues will be closely watched, reflecting the ongoing debates about electoral integrity and the role of the poll body in ensuring free and fair elections.