Rahul Gandhi Slams EC: Congress leader accuses the Election Commission of "vote theft" and misinforming the public on electoral rolls

NEW DELHI, India – In a sharp escalation of the political conflict, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has launched a direct and unprecedented attack on the Election Commission of India (EC), accusing the constitutional body of "vote theft" and of misinforming the public on the contentious issue of electoral rolls. The fiery remarks, made at a press conference in Delhi, have sent shockwaves across the political landscape, drawing immediate condemnation from the ruling party.

Gandhi's accusations come amidst the government’s push for a new bill on electoral roll revision, which the opposition has vociferously opposed in Parliament. He alleged that the EC is working in complicity with the government to manipulate voter lists in an attempt to disenfranchise millions of citizens, especially from minority and marginalized communities.

The Allegation of "Vote Theft"

"This is not just a government bill; this is a clear case of vote theft," Gandhi said. "The Election Commission, which is supposed to be the guardian of our democracy, is actively misleading the public. They are deleting names from the voter list on a massive scale without proper verification and are providing flawed data to justify it."

He added that the EC was failing to uphold its constitutional duty to ensure free and fair elections, and was instead acting as an "agent of the government." The opposition has been demanding that the government's bill be sent to a parliamentary committee for a thorough review, arguing that the proposed new rules for voter registration would lead to widespread voter suppression.

EC Rebuts Charges as "Baseless"

The Election Commission of India has issued a strong rebuttal to the allegations. A senior EC official, speaking on condition of anonymity, called the charges "baseless and deeply irresponsible." The official stated that the EC follows a meticulous and transparent process for voter registration and deletion, and that any changes are made only after a thorough on-ground verification.

The ruling party has also condemned Gandhi's remarks, calling his accusations an attempt to "discredit a constitutional body for political gains." With elections on the horizon, the allegations have added a new layer of tension to the ongoing political battles, raising fundamental questions about the integrity of India's democratic process.