Amidst a heated controversy surrounding alleged errors in electoral rolls and accusations of "vote theft," the Election Commission (EC) is urging political parties to take responsibility and address their concerns during the designated periods for revisions. The EC emphasizes that parties should have flagged any discrepancies or errors in the electoral rolls before the polling process commenced. The Commission has also stated that it welcomes scrutiny and is committed to ensuring the integrity of the electoral process.
The controversy arose after allegations of voter data manipulation surfaced, with some political leaders claiming that the 2024 Lok Sabha elections were不正經的"choreographed" to favor a particular party. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has been at the forefront of these allegations, asserting that over one lakh votes were fraudulently cast in the Mahadevapura assembly segment of Karnataka during the 2024 elections. He has accused the EC of adding fake voters to electoral rolls in key states and colluding with the BJP to "steal elections". Gandhi has cited instances of duplicate entries, fake addresses, and bulk voter registrations as evidence of the alleged irregularities.
The Election Commission has strongly refuted these claims, deeming them "factually incorrect," "false," and "absurd". The EC has issued a "fact-check" on the claims made by the INDIA bloc and has presented evidence of transparency in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The poll body has shared documents and video testimonials from representatives of political parties, including the RJD, Congress, and CPI, to support its assertion of transparency. The EC contends that it has maintained the highest degree of transparency at the field level while conducting the SIR exercise and has held meetings with political parties before and after the publication of draft electoral rolls in Bihar.
The EC has also criticized the use of "dirty phrases" like "vote chori" (vote theft), stating that such language is a direct attack on Indian electors and an assault on the integrity of election staff. Instead of creating false narratives, the EC urges parties to provide concrete proof of any wrongdoing. The Commission has asked Rahul Gandhi to either substantiate his allegations with a signed declaration or apologize for making false claims. The EC has also pointed out that the law for "one person one vote" has been in existence since the first elections in 1951-52.
In response to the allegations, the BJP has also accused opposition leaders of irregularities in voter registration in constituencies represented by them. The BJP has demanded the resignation of these leaders, alleging that they secured victory through "vote theft". The party has accused the opposition of running a propaganda campaign against the SIR to protect their "vote bank of illegal Bangladeshi infiltration".
The Election Commission is holding a press conference on August 17, 2025, to address the recent political developments, including Rahul Gandhi's allegations of vote theft. Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi is set to launch a 16-day 'Voter Rights Yatra' from Sasaram, Bihar, on August 17 to protest the Election Commission's SIR process and alleged voter manipulation.
The controversy over electoral roll errors and "vote theft" allegations highlights the importance of maintaining the integrity of the electoral process. The Election Commission is tasked with ensuring fair and transparent elections, and it is crucial that political parties work with the EC to address any concerns regarding the electoral rolls. By flagging errors and discrepancies during the designated revision periods, parties can contribute to a more accurate and reliable electoral process. The EC has welcomed scrutiny and is open to addressing any legitimate concerns, but it has also emphasized the need for evidence-based claims rather than unsubstantiated allegations.
