Both BJP and Congress staffers, some channels announced Karnataka poll dates before EC: Reports

The Congress called BJP the ‘Super Election Commission’ and commentators slammed the party after it’s IT in-charge Amit Malviya announced poll dates for Karnataka on Twitter even as the Election Commission announcement was underway, and allegedly before the commission mentioned the dates of polling in its press conference. The incident was brought to the EC’s notice during its press conference. The EC reportedly said action would be taken if there was a leak.

Senior journalists immediately questioned Malviya on how he got the scoop.

Malviya claimed that his source was Times Now, but later deleted the tweet. Malviya in his original date mentioned the correct date of polling—May 12—but got the counting date wrong. He had put it as May 18 in his tweet; however the EC announced that counting would take place on March 15.

Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala tweeted said “BJP becomes the ‘Super Election Commission’ as they announce poll dates for Karnataka even before the EC. Credibility of EC is on test. Will EC now issue notice to BJP President, Amit Shah & register an FIR against BJP IT Head for leaking EC’s confidential information?”

Other politicians, senior journalists and commentators also slammed the BJP and Malviya.

Congress staffer also announced poll dates before EC, says NDTV report

Later on Tuesday, quoting a tweet by ThePrint reporter Ruhi Tewari, NDTV reported that a Congress staffer had also tweeted the poll dates before the Election Commission announcement. Tewari tweeted that Congress’ Karnataka social media in-charge Srivatsa had tweeted at the same time as Malviya.

This article was updated at 1.28 pm to add the information from the NDTV report on the Congress social media in-charge also tweeting the poll dates before EC