X account @RahulGandhi
CEC Sets 7-Day Ultimatum for Rahul Gandhi on ‘Vote Theft’ Claims
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has issued a firm ultimatum to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. He must either file a sworn affidavit within seven days to substantiate his “vote chori” (vote theft) allegations or publicly apologise to the nation. The CEC warned that failure to comply will render Gandhi’s accusations baseless and invalid.
ECI Refutes Allegations of Bias
The Election Commission has rejected Gandhi’s claims, stating that there is no evidence of voter fraud in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process currently underway in Bihar. The Commission emphasized that all parties have equal access to address discrepancies and that targetting voters or using misinformed language undermines democratic institutions.
Background and Legal Context
Rahul Gandhi’s allegations stem from a presentation citing irregularities in voter lists in Karnataka and elsewhere. He accused the EC of inflating or deleting names, and raised concerns over revised procedures under SIR. In response, the Supreme Court has directed the EC to publish a public, searchable list of 65 lakh voter deletions and to accept objections via official identification. The matter is pending further hearings.
Political Resonance and Implications
Gandhi questioned why similar scrutiny had not been directed at BJP leaders, reflecting tensions between the opposition and the EC. His ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’—a 1,300 km campaign across Bihar—has drawn attention to electoral transparency. The CEC’s ultimatum raises the stakes, with potential consequences for political discourse and institutional trust.
