Election Commission now a ‘branch of BJP’, alleges Mehbooba Mufti

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday lashed out at the Election Commission, alleging that the poll body has “become a branch of the BJP,” while also accusing it of conducting elections on the saffron party’s “signals.”
The PDP chief alleged that the Election Commission is “no longer independent.” “The Election Commission of India has now become a branch of the BJP. It stays silent, like when the BJP campaigned on the basis of religious propaganda in Himachal Pradesh. ECI is no longer independent like it used to be. ECI conducts elections on the BJP’s signals,” Mufti said.
Himachal Pradesh recorded a voter turnout of 73.23 percent in the assembly polls, according to data from the Election Commission up until 11.30 p.m. on Saturday.
Solan recorded the highest voter turnout, with 76.82 percent of the voters exercising their franchise. Shimla logged a voter turnout of 69.88 percent, according to the latest data.
Una recorded a 76.69 percent voting percentage, followed by Kullu with 76.15 percent. Polling began at 8 a.m. on Saturday to elect members of the assembly. The polling concluded at 5 p.m.