Guwahati, Aug. 18 -- In this exclusive interview, veteran journalist and commentator Paranjay Guha Thakurta speaks with Paresh Malakar about the recent and unprecedented press conference held by the Election Commission of India (ECI). An incisive critic of the government's policies, Guha Thakurta provides his expert analysis on the CEC's responses to questions about allegations of "vote theft" and 'electoral roll irregularities'.

In these edited excerpts, Guha Thakurta gives a behind-the-scenes account of the press meet, its unusual timing and purpose, and what the CEC's technical and often defensive answers reveal about the state of India's electoral democracy.

Paresh Malakar: Yesterday, you attended the Election Commission (EC) press ...