New Delhi [India], November 13 : Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh on Thursday levelled serious allegations of large-scale electoral malpractice in the Bihar Assembly elections, claiming that nearly 80 lakh votes were "stolen," and accused the BJP of orchestrating the fraud.
Speaking to ANI ahead of the results scheduled to be declared on November 14, Singh asserted that the alleged manipulation of votes would have a significant bearing on the outcome of the elections.
"We'll have to wait for the results on 14th November. I've been saying one thing clearly that the vote theft will have a profound impact on this election. It's undeniable that 80 lakh votes were stolen in Bihar. 80 lakh voters were deprived of their right to vote," Singh said.
He further alleged that fraudulent forms were submitted in the names of deceased individuals and those who never appeared in person, terming it a "scam" involving the Election Commission and BJP leaders.
"We saw how, before the election, forms were being submitted with the signatures of dead people. Forms were being submitted with the signatures of people who didn't even appear. This is how the scam has come to light, and Gyanesh Kumar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the entire BJP are involved in it," the AAP MP claimed.
Singh added that such alleged irregularities raise questions over the integrity of the electoral process in the state, calling for accountability from the Election Commission and the central government.
Counting for the 243 Bihar assembly polls, which took place on November 6 and 11 is set for tomorrow. The winner will be declared on the same evening, bringing an end to a nearly month-long election campaign.
This is the first assembly election in the country in two decades, which was carried out after a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls was carried out.
Meanwhile, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav held an online meeting with the party's candidates and party office bearers at the district level, during which an in-depth discussion was held on guidelines related to vote counting and preparations for the counting process.
Repeating the allegation of alleged electoral malpractice, the RJD leader said that the party, along with the people of Bihar, are "alert, vigilant, cautious, and fully capable, aware, and prepared with enthusiasm, hope, and confidence to deal with any kind of improper unconstitutional activity."
"Last night, through a video conference with party candidates and district organisation office-bearers, an in-depth discussion was held on guidelines related to vote counting and preparations for the counting process," Tejashwi Yadav posted on X in Hindi.
The first phase of polling was held on November 6, and the second phase concluded on Tuesday, with counting set to take place on Friday (November 14). However, exit polls have predicted that the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is poised to form the government again in Bihar. The exit polls also predicted that the opposition Mahagathbandhan would fall short of the majority mark in the 243-member state assembly.