‘Unusual request’: EC explains why it could not meet Rahul Gandhi-led opposition MPs

Rahul Gandhi being detained by police personnel after over eight-hour sit-in inside Akashvani Bhawan premises along with several other MPs.

NEW DELHI: Amid the onging row with opposition parties over SIR, the Election Commission of India on Tuesday said that no political party had formally sought an appointment to meet.“Earlier today, during the march of certain political parties towards the Election Commission, it was learnt through the media that some Members of Parliament wished to meet the Commission along with their delegation. With regard to today’s developments, it is clarified that, till 4.00 PM today, no political party, through its representatives, had sought an appointment for a meeting with the Election Commission,” said the EC in a statement.The EC added that it found out through Delhi Police that “a delegation of MPs, led by the Hon’ble leader of the opposition, Shri Rahul Gandhi, wished to meet the Commission and submit a memorandum.”Further clarifying the rules and justifying itself, the EC cited procedures laid down for meetings with political parties. “All political parties had been informed of the same and they follow this procedure. Whenever a delegation of a political party, or a joint delegation of several parties, wishes to meet the Commission, it seeks an appointment through its duly Authorised Representative. The meeting is thereafter held at a time mutually agreed upon by both sides,” it said.The EC further claimed that after 4 PM, while it was considering the proposed meeting, the Delhi Police informed it that the delegation comprised 240 MPs and that they wanted to meet at the Parliament House Annexe. The Commission termed the request “unusual” and said it could not be accepted because, under ECI protocol, meetings with political parties are held only at the Commission’s premises.The poll panel said it then offered to send its senior-most officer on duty to the Parliament House Annexe to receive the MPs’ memorandum. The EC described this as “an unprecedented step”, but said the offer was also declined by the MPs.

The Commission said it respected “the parliamentary and democratic processes of the country”, while stressing that its own protocols and conventions were also important. It reiterated that political parties can request meetings with the EC at any time, after which the Commission schedules a date and time depending on its availability.The protest came as INDIA bloc leaders staged a massive march from Parliament towards the Election Commission headquarters, demanding a meeting with the poll panel over their allegations of “vote chori” and seeking the removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar. Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra joined the sit-in near Akashvani Bhavan, but police later cleared the protest site and detained several opposition MPs.Read more: Rahul and Priyanka removed from protest site after high drama – watch