As Rahul Gandhi embarks on his "Vote Adhikar Yatra" in Bihar, the Election Commission (EC) is set to hold a press conference today to address what it calls "misinformation" being spread by certain opposition parties regarding the electoral roll revision process. The EC's move comes in response to allegations of voter roll discrepancies and "vote theft" raised by Rahul Gandhi and echoed by other opposition parties.
Gandhi's yatra, which begins today in Sasaram, aims to highlight the alleged assault on the people's right to vote through the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. The yatra is expected to cover 25 districts of the state over 16 days, concluding with a rally in Patna on September 1. Gandhi is likely to stay in Bihar for nearly 15 days to lead the yatra. Senior leaders from the INDIA alliance, including Tejashwi Yadav, are expected to participate.
The EC has been countering these allegations through "fact-check" posts on social media. However, this press conference marks the first time that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and election commissioners S S Sandhu and Vivek Joshi will directly address the issue. EC sources have termed the opposition's claims as "misinformation" and "lies," emphasizing that parties are involved in each stage of electoral roll preparation and have ample opportunity to rectify errors.
The EC's concern stems from the potential impact of misinformation on voter confidence in the electoral system. One EC functionary told the Times of India that it is important to counter the misinformation campaign that has reached absurd levels with the use of artificial intelligence-generated content to mislead people. The EC maintains that the electoral system for parliamentary and assembly elections is robust and transparent.
Rahul Gandhi had previously claimed that 100,250 "stolen" votes helped the BJP win a seat in the 2024 election, accusing the EC of colluding with the BJP. He presented data on alleged dubious voters in the Mahadevapura segment of Bangalore (Central) Lok Sabha constituency. The EC has countered these claims, stating that the CEOs concerned offered to probe them if Gandhi furnished a signed declaration affirming the claimed errors to be true, as required by law, something which he has not done.
The EC's rebuttal also comes after previous instances where Rahul Gandhi has criticized the commission. In April 2025, the EC responded to Gandhi's charges, stating that he was spreading misinformation and disrespecting the institution. The EC emphasized that Indian elections are held as per law and are widely acclaimed across the world. The commission also stated that any attempts to defame the EC after an unfavorable verdict are completely absurd.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has been actively working to combat misinformation through various measures, including social media campaigns and press conferences. The ECI has also debunked misinformation on its social media platforms, such as Facebook and X (formerly Twitter). Election Management Bodies (EMBs) worldwide have expressed concerns about the impact of fake narratives on electoral processes. At a conference in Delhi, representatives from various countries discussed strategies for tackling misinformation and cybersecurity threats.
