The Election Commission (EC) has strongly criticized Rahul Gandhi's "Vote Chori" (vote theft) campaign, deeming such phrases "dirty" and an "assault on the integrity" of poll staff. Gandhi, a leading figure in the opposition, has launched an offensive against the EC, alleging significant irregularities in the polling process. The EC has firmly refuted these allegations, demanding substantiation through evidence and adherence to proper legal procedures.
Gandhi's "Vote Chori" campaign centers around claims of widespread electoral fraud, particularly in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He has cited data from the 2024 Lok Sabha polls to claim that more than 1 lakh votes were "stolen" through five types of manipulation in the Mahadevapura Assembly segment of Bangalore Central Lok Sabha seat in Karnataka. These alleged manipulations include duplicate voters, fake and invalid addresses, and single-address voters. Gandhi has also accused the EC of colluding with the BJP to "steal the elections".
In response to these allegations, the EC has challenged Gandhi to either sign a declaration/oath as per Rule 20(3)(b) of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, affirming the truth of his claims, or apologize to the nation. The EC has also stated that Gandhi's allegations are "baseless" and "absurd". Furthermore, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Karnataka has denied Gandhi's claims, stating that the documents shared by him were not from the EC and that the person named by Gandhi had not voted two times. The CEO of Haryana has also requested Gandhi to provide documents within 10 days to support his claims of anomalies in the electoral rolls for the 2024 Haryana Assembly elections.
The EC has emphasized that the "One Person, One Vote" law has been in place since India's first elections in 1951-52. The poll body has stated that anyone with proof of a person voting twice should submit it to the commission with a sworn affidavit, instead of branding all voters as “chor” without evidence. The EC views Gandhi's "vote chori" allegations as a direct attack on Indian voters and election staff.
Gandhi, however, remains steadfast in his claims. He asserts that "vote chori" is not just an election issue but a "decisive battle" to protect democracy, the Constitution, and the principle of 'one man, one vote'. He has launched a "Voter Adhikar Yatra" in Bihar, starting August 17, to combat "vote chori" and ensure a clean voters' list across the country. Gandhi has also shared a fictional video on social media depicting how "fake votes" were being cast.
The Congress party has also stepped up its campaign against alleged 'vote chori' by releasing a new video depicting how "fake votes" were being cast. The BJP, in turn, has alleged irregularities in voter registration in opposition leaders' seats, accusing them of securing victory in elections with "vote chori".
The EC's role is to oversee elections, referendums, and electoral registration, regulate political finance, promote public confidence in elections, and ensure the integrity of the democratic process. However, the EC has faced criticism regarding institutional bias, understanding of campaigning realities, and the timeliness and clarity of its guidance.
The controversy surrounding Gandhi's "Vote Chori" campaign highlights the importance of maintaining the integrity of the electoral process and ensuring fair and transparent elections. While Gandhi insists the ECI failed to enforce "One Man, One Vote", the ECI stresses that the “One Person, One Vote” law has been in place since India's first elections. The allegations and counter-allegations underscore the need for both the EC and political parties to uphold the principles of democracy and maintain public trust in the electoral system.
