New Delhi – The Election Commission of India (ECI) has firmly rejected allegations made by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, who accused the Commission of colluding with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in alleged “vote theft.” Calling the accusations “baseless,” the ECI reiterated its unwavering commitment to conducting free, fair, and transparent elections.
Sources within the Commission stated,
“The Election Commission routinely ignores such baseless allegations made almost daily. Despite repeated provocations, the Commission urges all election officials to continue performing their duties impartially and transparently, and not be distracted by such irresponsible statements.”
The Commission also expressed full support for its polling personnel across the country, encouraging them to remain focused and ignore what it described as “politically motivated and reckless” remarks.
Rahul Gandhi, addressing reporters at the Parliament complex, claimed the Congress had “open-and-shut” evidence of electoral malpractice, describing it as an “atom bomb” that, once revealed, would leave the Election Commission with “no place to hide.”
“I’ve said vote theft is happening, and now we have solid proof that the Election Commission is involved,” Gandhi alleged. He pointed to suspected irregularities beginning with the 2023 Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections, continuing through the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, and extending to voter list revisions in Maharashtra.
This is not the first time Gandhi has raised concerns about the ECI. In June, he wrote an article accusing the Commission of turning a blind eye to alleged rigging in the Maharashtra Assembly elections. At the time, EC sources emphasized that any official response would be provided only if a formal written complaint was submitted by Gandhi in his capacity as Leader of the Opposition.
In his article, Gandhi alleged “match-fixing” in Maharashtra’s elections and warned of similar manipulation in other states, especially where the BJP might face defeat. He also demanded access to CCTV footage from polling stations in Maharashtra during the final hours of voting, alleging discrepancies in the process.
Responding to this, EC sources clarified that under current regulations, CCTV footage from polling stations can be reviewed by the respective High Court if an election petition is filed. The Commission reiterated that all concerns regarding the electoral process must be addressed through established legal and constitutional channels.
With inputs from IANS