New Delhi – The Election Commission of India (EC) on Thursday issued a strong rebuttal to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, dismissing his allegations of a widespread “voter deletion scam” as “incorrect and baseless.” Gandhi had publicly accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of shielding those involved in what he termed the “destruction of Indian democracy.”
The EC’s response came after Gandhi, in a press conference in Bihar, launched a sharp attack, claiming that an automated software was being used for the systematic deletion of voters across the country. He specifically cited instances in Karnataka’s Aland and Maharashtra’s Rajura constituencies.
EC Officials Clarify Due Process, Debunk Online Deletion Claims
In a direct and strongly worded statement, sources within the poll body clarified the rigorous process involved in updating electoral rolls. “Allegations made by Shri Rahul Gandhi are incorrect and baseless. No deletion of any vote can be done online by any member of the public, as misconceived by Shri Rahul Gandhi,” an EC official stated.
The EC further emphasized that no voter can be removed from the rolls without following proper legal procedures. The officials stressed that “No deletion can take place without giving an opportunity of being heard to the affected person,” a fundamental principle to ensure transparency and fairness.
Aland Constituency Case: EC Confirms Fraud Attempts, But Denies Success
Addressing one of Gandhi’s key examples, the EC acknowledged that attempts were indeed made in 2023 to fraudulently delete voters in Karnataka’s Aland constituency. However, the Commission was quick to point out that these attempts were unsuccessful. To ensure accountability and a full investigation, the Election Commission itself had filed an FIR on the matter.
Sources also highlighted that the electoral outcomes in Aland reflect a fair process, noting the contrasting results of the last two elections. They pointed out that the BJP’s Subhadh Guttedar won the seat in 2018, while Congress’ BR Patil was victorious in 2023, suggesting that the outcomes were a true reflection of the voters’ will.
Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Hydrogen Bomb’ Allegations
During his presser, the Leader of Opposition claimed that the Karnataka CID had written to the Election Commission 18 times over the past 18 months, seeking technical details on voter deletions, but had not received a response. “EC knows who is doing this. They are defending the murderers of democracy,” he charged.
Promising more evidence, Gandhi stated that he would soon reveal what he referred to as a “hydrogen bomb” to expose the alleged “vote chori” or vote theft. He also presented a man and a woman who he claimed were linked to the voter deletion activities, seeking to add weight to his accusations.
The public exchange underscores the heightened political tensions and the significant scrutiny faced by the Election Commission of India, particularly during a period of intense political activity.