Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has raised serious concerns about voter roll manipulation, alleging that the Election Commission of India (ECI) worked in tandem with the BJP to influence electoral outcomes.
On Thursday, August 7, 2025, Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, claimed there had been extensive voter roll tampering since the 2024 general elections. Speaking at a detailed press briefing in New Delhi, Gandhi alleged a “massive” conspiracy involving fake voters and fraudulent addresses, pointing directly to the BJP and the ECI.
He asserted that the Congress had compiled solid evidence over six months, uncovering what he called a “vote chori” operation (vote theft). Among the data he presented were instances of duplicate voters, invalid addresses, and improper use of voter registration forms across various constituencies.
Claims of Electoral Tampering in Bengaluru
Gandhi specifically referenced the Bengaluru Central Lok Sabha constituency and the Mahadevapura Assembly segment, both from the 2024 elections. According to his analysis, although Congress led in six out of seven Assembly segments, it suffered a dramatic loss in Mahadevapura by over 1.14 lakh votes.
He outlined irregularities such as:
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11,965 duplicate voters
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40,009 entries with fake or invalid addresses
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10,452 bulk or single-address voters
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4,132 voters with questionable photo IDs
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33,692 alleged misuses of Form 6 (new voter registration)
Gandhi claimed these figures point to a deliberate effort to swing election results. “If the Election Commission refuses to provide machine-readable data and access to CCTV footage, they’re complicit in the crime,” he said.
He further urged judicial intervention, stating that democracy is under threat. “The idea that one person equals one vote is under siege,” he remarked.
Accusations of ECI Withholding Transparency
Rahul Gandhi also criticised the staggered, months-long election process, suggesting it gives scope for manipulation. He accused the ECI of changing laws to withhold voter list data and CCTV footage, reinforcing his claim that the institution is working in coordination with the ruling BJP.
He said the BJP’s narrow national victory margin highlights the stakes: “The Prime Minister holds power with just a slim lead. In fact, 25 BJP seats were won with margins of under 33,000 votes.”
Public Sentiment and Anti-Incumbency
“There’s been a growing suspicion among citizens,” Gandhi added. “Anti-incumbency affects every political party — yet somehow, the BJP remains untouched by it in recent elections.” He noted that both exit polls and internal surveys have failed to align with actual results, hinting at deeper flaws in the system.
Call to Action: Mahadevapura Under the Scanner
Following the press conference, the Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer responded, requesting Gandhi to submit detailed proof of the voter roll discrepancies he highlighted — specifically names of those allegedly added or excluded unlawfully.
The state’s election office sent a formal letter asking Gandhi to file a signed declaration under Rule 20(3)(b) of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960. This would enable the Commission to begin appropriate legal processes if the allegations are substantiated.
Congress Investigation Dates Back to 2023
Gandhi said the Congress began suspecting foul play during the 2023 Chhattisgarh elections and claimed their concerns were confirmed during the Maharashtra Assembly elections in 2024. Both states saw Congress and its allies lose to the BJP, despite their internal projections suggesting otherwise.
He emphasised that the Mahadevapura constituency alone contained over one lakh voters with fake or invalid addresses in 2023, reinforcing his argument of systematic malpractice.
“I speak not just as a politician, but as a citizen taking an oath to safeguard democracy,” he concluded, noting that the Election Commission has yet to refute any of his specific claims.
