New Delhi, As the seven-phase general elections commence in India, a new report claims these elections may be the most controversial in the nation’s history. The report casts doubts on the Modi government’s assertions of conducting transparent elections, labeling the electoral process as fraught with manipulation and control.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the report outlines various methods allegedly used by the Modi government to suppress dissent and maintain power. It accuses the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of complete domination over the state’s structures, asserting that this control extends to crushing political opponents through various coercive tactics. The report also states that Narendra Modi’s administration has targeted a broad spectrum of society, including political leaders, journalists, social activists, and educational institutions, to secure electoral victory.

The report details further allegations, including the use of hate speech against Muslims, incitement of religious sentiments, manipulation of media narratives, and corruption in funding election campaigns. It also highlights the arrest of New Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and other opposition leaders on purportedly false charges, as well as raids on their homes by the Central Bureau of Investigation, as part of the BJP’s strategy to stifle opposition.

Additionally, an Al Jazeera report cited raises concerns about the integrity of the election commission itself, questioning the timing of the resignation of Election Commissioner Arun Goyal and the subsequent appointments of retired bureaucrats as commissioners during a critical phase of the elections.