Election Authority Criticizes Rahul Gandhi Over Allegations of Voter Irregularity
In a recent conference held in Delhi, the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Gyanesh Kumar, addressed allegations of widespread voter fraud during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections made by Rahul Gandhi.
Gandhi, the Congress party leader, has accused the ECI of multiple voting, bogus entries in voter rolls, and manipulation of voter rolls favouring the BJP. He presented data alleging over 100,000 fake votes in a Karnataka assembly segment as a key example of rigging that cost the Congress seats.
However, the ECI has rejected these allegations as baseless and absurd, demanding that Gandhi substantiate his claims with signed sworn declarations or apologize to the nation. Following Gandhi’s August 7 press conference, the ECI issued notices to him via Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) in Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Haryana, seeking documentary evidence for his claims about multiple voting, inclusion/exclusion of voters, and roll anomalies, within 10 days.
The ECI has investigated specific allegations, such as one claiming that voter Shakun Rani voted twice. The ECI found that she voted once and asked Gandhi to provide proof if he claims otherwise. The ECI also noted that requests for machine-readable voter rolls have been legally rejected, and reviewing CCTV footage from voting booths is impractical.
Gyanesh Kumar stated that using a PPT presentation to falsify data and misinterpret facts is against both the law and the Constitution. He emphasized that the ECI stands with the voters like a rock and will continue to do so. The CEC also made it clear that the preparation of electoral rolls and casting of votes are two different processes under two separate laws.
Gyanesh Kumar accused Rahul Gandhi of misleading facts and stated that the use of "improper words" like "vote chori" weakens people's faith in the Indian constitution. He reiterated that the ECI stands fearlessly with all voters of all sections and all religions, including the poor, rich, elderly, women, and youth, without any discrimination.
The controversy remains active, with the ECI awaiting Gandhi’s formal submission of evidence or apology. Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi has initiated the Voter Adhikar Yatra in Bihar, aiming to address voter rights issues.
The ECI, under Gyanesh Kumar's leadership, ensures no discrimination happens based on class or faith. The commission maintains that its primary goal is to uphold the integrity of the electoral process and protect the rights of every Indian voter.
- Amidst the ongoing controversy, the ECI, under Gyanesh Kumar's leadership, is urging Rahul Gandhi to either substantiate his claims of voter fraud, as per the law, or retract them and apologize, given the alleged baseless nature of his accusations.
- The active political debate, involving issues such as policy-and-legislation, politics, and general-news, revolves around Rahul Gandhi's allegations of voter fraud and the ECI's counter-arguments, with the former being asked to provide concrete evidence or retract his statements in order to uphold the integrity and transparency of the electoral process.
