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Karnataka Leaders Demand Investigation into Voter Fraud Claims
On August 8, 2025, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress president, submitted a formal complaint to the state’s Chief Electoral Officer. The complaint followed a protest led by Rahul Gandhi in Bengaluru, raising concerns about possible voter fraud during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
What the Complaint Highlights
Shivakumar cited irregularities in constituencies such as Mahadevapura and Gandhinagar. Alleged issues include multiple registrations of the same person, entries without proper addresses, use of vacant land as voter addresses, and shifting voters between polling booths. He said the Congress party will soon provide supporting documents and stressed that public declarations should suffice without the need for new affidavits.
Election Commission’s Response
The Chief Electoral Officer has acknowledged the complaint and requested Shivakumar to submit documentary evidence along with a formal declaration under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960. Shivakumar said he welcomed the investigation and assured that the matter is being pursued seriously.
Next Steps and Wider Impact
Shivakumar has called for a state-wide audit of electoral rolls, asking for machine-readable voter lists and public disclosure of findings. He emphasized the need to investigate how questionable voter entries might have influenced election results and to take action against officials responsible for fraudulent forms. He also noted that a specially trained team using data tools spent six months uncovering the irregularities in Mahadevapura.
