Chief election commissioner VS Sampat, whilst speaking to the press, dismissed rumours of differences within the Election Commission. "All decision taken unanimously," he said.
Also defending the Varanasi District Magistrate Pranjal Yadav, he added, that the DM had taken decision based on national feedback, and decision on Modi was taken based threat perception around him. "If there is a security issue...commission did not want to take a chance," he added. "Going by profile of leader, EC didn't want to take chance with security."
READ: Why BJP might have got it wrong by attacking Varanasi's popular DM Pranjal Yadav
He also pointed that the decision over Narendra Modi's Varanasi rally was a collective decision of Election Commission. "District Administration was willing to consider alternative venue for Modi's rally," he added.
All parties including Congress and TMC have criticised Election Commission
On the allegation against Rahul Gandhi 's entry into polling station, he adds, "We have to find out if Rahul Gandhi was standing inside polling area when polling was on. It is believed that he was there because the EVM was not functioning."
On accusations on being biased against Modi, Sampat expalined that Modi had organised press conference in Vadodara where election was taking places, violating poll codes.
He also assured that there have been no widespread rigging only allegation, only some pockets have intimidation.
Regarding missing names in voter list, he says that in Maharashtra there has been no deletion of names in last three years. He pointed that it was the duty of citizens to ensure their name is in the roles.
He also pointed that Election Commission doesnt make rules, rather the Parliament does. Bribery is not even offence, he added.
