EC rejects Rahul Gandhi’s ‘vote chori’ allegations, calls them 'baseless and irresponsible'

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday responded to allegations made by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who accused the Commission of being involved in large-scale “vote theft” to benefit the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. The allegations come amid the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. The poll body issued a statement calling the claims “baseless” and “irresponsible,” and directed officials to continue working impartially and transparently.

Rahul Gandhi, speaking to reporters outside Parliament, claimed that the Opposition had conducted a six-month investigation which revealed what he called “open and shut proof” of the Election Commission’s alleged role in manipulating voter rolls. He said, “We have open and shut proof that the Election Commission is involved in vote theft. Most importantly, whoever in the Election Commission is involved in this exercise, right from top to bottom, we will not spare you.”

The Congress leader further stated that the Opposition’s concerns began after the Madhya Pradesh assembly elections, followed by the Lok Sabha and Maharashtra assembly polls. He pointed to a reported addition of one crore new voters in Maharashtra’s final electoral list as a key trigger. Gandhi alleged that the Commission failed to act, leading the Opposition to initiate its own probe. He said, “Once it explodes, the Election Commission will have no place to hide.”

In its official response, the Election Commission said, “The Election Commission ignores such baseless allegations being made on a daily basis and, despite daily threats being given, urges all election officials to disregard such irresponsible statements and continue to work impartially, fairly, and transparently.” The Commission reiterated its commitment to ensuring free and fair elections and asked staff to focus on duties without being influenced by political statements.

The controversy over the SIR in Bihar has led to continued protests from INDIA bloc parties, who have termed the process an attack on democratic norms. Members of the alliance have called for the revision process to be halted and demanded a special discussion on the issue in the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament. A meeting held on Thursday saw INDIA bloc members deciding to intensify their protests both inside and outside the House.