The Election Commission (EC) on Tuesday countered the Congress’s complaint about slow online updating of the Assembly poll results by stressing that it updated results every five minutes.

Congress MP and spokesman Jairam Ramesh posted a copy of his complaint to the poll panel on X at noon. “Over the last two hours between 9am and 11am, there has been an unexplained slowdown in updating of results on the ECI's website. As you can imagine this allows bad-faith actors to spin narratives that undermine the process. You can see examples of it already playing out on social media. Our fear is also that such narratives can then be used by these mala fide actors to influence processes where counting is still underway i.e. in most of the counting centres,” the complaint reads.

The EC saw mischief in his cautionary note and retorted within two hours.

It said: “With reference to your today's Memorandum regarding slowdown in updating of results of Haryana on the ECI Website, it is reiterated that, entire counting process in Haryana and J&K is unfolding in the presence of candidates, observers and micro-observers as per the Statutory scheme. There is nothing on record to substantiate your ill-founded allegation of slowdown in updating of results.”

The poll panel added: “Your Memorandum also does not bring out any contrary facts as to the delay at any of the constituencies in Haryana or J&K…. Approximately, 25 rounds across all the constituencies are being updated every five minutes, which testifies dissemination of counting process in a speedy manner.

“In view of the above, I am directed to convey that the Commission unequivocally rejects your attempt to surreptitiously give credence to irresponsible, unfounded and uncorroborated malafide narratives.”

Ramesh mentioned specific seats like Adampur where the Congress candidate won but the result was apparently not showing online at the time.