In the wake of Rahul Gandhi's allegations of "vote theft" during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress party is intensifying its demand for the Election Commission of India (ECI) to take immediate action. Karnataka's Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil has urged the ECI to treat Gandhi's claims as a suo motu complaint, emphasizing the gravity of the situation and the need for a swift and transparent response.
Patil argued that instead of seeking affidavits and raising procedural obstacles, the ECI should address the core issue of voter list manipulation. He stressed that Gandhi's allegations are supported by substantial evidence, including documents and scientific analysis, which have already been made public through various media channels. According to Patil, the ECI's reluctance to take suo motu cognizance and its insistence on formal affidavits are "lame excuses" that undermine its fundamental responsibility to safeguard democracy and the integrity of elections.
Echoing similar sentiments, retired Bombay High Court Justice BG Kolse Patil has accused the ECI of "arrogance and lack of transparency" in its handling of the matter. Justice Patil suggested that the situation warrants suo motu cognisance by the Supreme Court, highlighting the potential threat to electoral democracy in India. He criticized the ECI's demand for a written affidavit from Gandhi, despite the availability of televised evidence, as a sign of "institutional arrogance". Justice Patil has called for either urgent intervention from the judiciary or mass mobilization of the public to protect democratic values.
The ECI has repeatedly asked Rahul Gandhi to either sign a declaration to support his claims or apologize for making what it deems "fake" charges. The commission's officials have insisted on a signed declaration from Gandhi, as per the Conduct of Election Rules, along with the names of those he claims were either left out or wrongfully included in the electoral rolls. However, Gandhi has made it clear that he will not sign such a declaration, asserting that he has already taken an oath to uphold the Constitution as a Member of Parliament.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has stated that the Law Department will examine the allegations of vote theft during the Lok Sabha election 2024, and action will be taken as per its recommendations. He mentioned that Gandhi advised the government to act on the vote theft, and the matter would be examined before civic body elections in Bengaluru.
The BJP has also weighed in on the matter, with party leaders calling for Rahul Gandhi's resignation from the Lok Sabha if he does not have faith in the Election Commission. The party has criticized Gandhi for not submitting a written declaration on his "vote theft" claim and accused him of undermining the credibility of the electoral process.
The controversy surrounding the "vote theft" allegations has intensified the scrutiny of the ECI, with questions being raised about its impartiality and transparency. Rahul Gandhi has posed several questions to the ECI, demanding answers on why CCTV and video footage were removed, and raising concerns about voter list irregularities and bogus entries. He has also questioned whether the ECI is acting impartially or serving as an agent of the ruling party.
As the political storm continues to gather momentum, the demand for a thorough and impartial investigation into the allegations of voter fraud is growing louder. The Congress party and its allies are likely to keep the pressure on the ECI, while the BJP is expected to defend the integrity of the electoral process. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether the ECI will take suo motu action or whether the matter will be escalated to the Supreme Court for judicial intervention.
