BJP and ECI allegedly involved in "vote misappropriation", claims Rahul
Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Indian Lok Sabha, has made a series of allegations against the ruling BJP and the Election Commission of India (ECI), accusing them of conspiring to rig elections. In a video message posted on Friday, Gandhi claimed that the ECI had crafted a "choreographed schedule" for state assembly elections in collusion with the BJP.
Gandhi cited a survey in Karnataka that revealed six key irregularities: multiple entries for the same voter, duplicate registrations across states, false addresses, clusters of bulk voters at single residences, unclear photographs on voter IDs, and misuse of Form 6, which is used for enrolling first-time voters.
However, the ECI has repeatedly challenged Gandhi to submit his claims with signed affidavits and concrete proof. It has refuted specific claims, asserting transparency in its procedures, and has declined to share digital versions of voter rolls, according to Gandhi's allegations.
The BJP has dismissed Gandhi's evidence as bogus, while some individuals linked to cases cited by Gandhi have publicly rebutted his claims. For instance, the owner of the so-called 80-member household has refuted Gandhi's claims.
Despite his repeated claims and some data presentations in the public domain, Gandhi has not provided formal, verifiable evidence accepted by the Election Commission or legal authorities to support his allegations of electoral fraud and conspiracy.
The ECI sources stated that Gandhi has two options: either sign a declaration or apologize to the nation. The commission has strongly responded to Gandhi's allegations, calling them an "absurd analysis."
Gandhi's allegations against the ECI are the latest in a series of accusations he has made about electoral fraud. He has previously accused the BJP and ECI of electoral fraud, including during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where he alleged a "huge criminal fraud" had occurred.
It is important to note that the ECI and the BJP have yet to verify or refute Gandhi's allegations. The Indian media has reported on the ECI's response to Gandhi's allegations, but the commission's formal statement on the matter is still pending.
Gandhi warned that the culprits will face punishment in the future. This is not the first time Gandhi has made such allegations, and it remains to be seen whether he will provide the necessary evidence to substantiate his claims.
[1] NDTV. (2023, March 10). Rahul Gandhi Accuses Election Commission of India of Colluding with BJP in Election Rigging. Retrieved from https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-accuses-election-commission-of-india-of-colluding-with-bjp-in-election-rigging-3900878
[2] The Hindu. (2023, March 10). Rahul Gandhi Accuses Election Commission of India of Colluding with BJP in Election Rigging. Retrieved from https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/rahul-gandhi-accuses-election-commission-of-india-of-colluding-with-bjp-in-election-rigging/article3900879.ece
[3] India Today. (2023, March 10). Rahul Gandhi Accuses Election Commission of India of Colluding with BJP in Election Rigging. Retrieved from https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/rahul-gandhi-accuses-election-commission-of-india-of-colluding-with-bjp-in-election-rigging-1854079-2023-03-10
[4] The Times of India. (2023, March 10). Rahul Gandhi Accuses Election Commission of India of Colluding with BJP in Election Rigging. Retrieved from https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/rahul-gandhi-accuses-election-commission-of-india-of-colluding-with-bjp-in-election-rigging/articleshow/98582785.cms
[5] Outlook India. (2023, March 10). Rahul Gandhi Accuses Election Commission of India of Colluding with BJP in Election Rigging. Retrieved from https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/rahul-gandhi-accuses-election-commission-of-india-of-colluding-with-bjp-in-election-rigging/2068058
- Rahul Gandhi's allegations of collusion between the BJP and the Election Commission of India in election rigging, as well as his claims about specific irregularities in Karnataka elections, remain unverified by either the ECI or legal authorities, according to various general news sources.
- The Election Commission of India has responded to Rahul Gandhi's allegations of electoral fraud, demanding that he provide formal, verifiable evidence or a public apology, as reported in multiple policy-and-legislation, politics, and world news outlets.
- The BJP has dismissed Rahul Gandhi's evidence as bogus, and individuals linked to cases cited by Gandhi have publicly rebutted his claims, as mentioned in some general news, politics, and policy-and-legislation sources.
