The Election Commission of India (ECI) has responded sharply to Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, over his recent accusations of voter list manipulation and collusion with the BJP. On Thursday, Rahul had alleged in a press conference that the ECI was aiding the BJP in stealing votes.
Reacting to these claims, ECI sources said that if Rahul Gandhi truly believes in the accuracy of his analysis and the allegations he has made, he should have no hesitation in signing a sworn affidavit to that effect. “If he refrains from doing so, it only means he lacks confidence in his data, conclusions, and bizarre claims. In that case, he must apologise to the nation,” said ECI sources.
The Commission further asserted that Rahul Gandhi has only two choices: either sign an affidavit supporting his allegations or publicly apologise for making unfounded accusations against the Election Commission.
ECI Asks for Proof in Karnataka and Maharashtra Cases
Earlier, taking note of Rahul Gandhi’s claims regarding manipulation in the voter lists of Karnataka’s Assembly constituencies, the state’s Chief Electoral Officer had asked him to present concrete evidence along with a signed affidavit.
Similarly, in connection with Rahul’s allegations of voter fraud in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, the Chief Electoral Officer of Maharashtra also demanded that the Leader of Opposition submit an affidavit and provide specific evidence of names being wrongly added or deleted from the voter list.
The Election Commission’s firm stand indicates its intent to counter what it terms as “baseless and sensationalist” accusations made in the public domain, especially in the lead-up to crucial elections.
