Digital News Guru Political Desk:
“Vote Chori”: Rahul Gandhi’s Allegations and the Political Storm
On 18 September 2025, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi held a special press conference in Delhi that once again spotlighted what he calls “vote chori” (vote theft) – a sweeping allegation of manipulation in electoral rolls, especially deletions and fraudulent additions of voter names. He claimed this was a centrally coordinated operation targeting Congress-strong booths and marginal communities, and he promised a “hydrogen bomb” of revelations to prove it.
Below are the key claims, the counter-arguments, and why this matter has immediate implications for Indian democracy.
The Claims
- Targeted Deletions in Aland, Karnataka
Rahul Gandhi alleged that in Karnataka’s Aland Assembly constituency, about 6,018 voter names were attempted to be deleted via online applications before the 2023 assembly elections. He says many of these were from booths where Congress performed strongly. Some names, he asserted, involved fake logins, mobile numbers outside of Karnataka, and even use of fictitious identities. He also shared case examples — like a woman named “Godabai,” whose identity was allegedly misused to delete 12 voter names without her knowledge. - Similar Irregularities in Other States
The allegations are not limited to Karnataka. Rahul Gandhi claimed irregularities in Maharashtra (Rajura constituency), Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Bihar etc., involving bogus additions, invalid addresses, duplicate entries, etc. - Use of Centralised Software / Automation, Fake Logins
Gandhi alleges that a centralised system or software, possibly a call centre-style operation, is being used to automate deletions and additions. He mentioned that applications for deletions were filed with fake logins, OTPs, and mobile numbers from outside the state in which the constituency lies. - Lack of Cooperation from Election Authorities
According to Gandhi, Karnataka’s CID wrote 18 letters in 18 months to the Election Commission seeking technical data — IP logs, device ports, OTP trails — which the EC has not responded to in a satisfactory way. He gave the EC a one-week deadline to comply, failing which, he said, the promised “hydrogen bomb” evidence would be revealed.
The Responses
Election Commission of India (ECI)
The EC quickly responded, calling the claims “incorrect and baseless.” It emphasized that no deletion of any elector can occur online by the public without verification, and that deletion or inclusion of names requires due process, including giving affected persons a chance to be heard.
Specifically for Aland, the EC and Karnataka’s Chief Election Officer (CEO) said that among the 6,018 Form 7 applications submitted for deletion, about 5,994 were found to be incorrect and were rejected; only 24 were found genuine and accepted. An FIR (First Information Report) was filed in February 2023 regarding the matter, and the relevant data and documents have been handed over to police.
Former Election Officials and Experts
Former Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami and other ex-poll body members have weighed in. Gopalaswami observed that minor errors or discrepancies are not unusual in electoral rolls, and that absolute perfection is impossible. He also said field verification of the claims was done; in Aland, the Booth Level Officer (BLO) visited, and nothing substantial was found in some instances.
Political Reactions
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- The BJP has dismissed Rahul Gandhi’s allegations as politically motivated, and has demanded that if he has evidence, he should submit it officially (affidavit) or pursue legal avenues.
- Other opposition figures have expressed concern about the integrity of the electoral process and the EC’s role, raising questions about whether oversight is sufficient.
What We Know, What Is Still Unclear
- Verified Numbers: The EC has provided data for Aland which suggests that while many requests for deletions were submitted, the vast majority were rejected as incorrect. Only 24 of 6,018 deletion applications were accepted.
- Proof Presented vs “Hydrogen Bomb” Promise: Gandhi says the evidence shown so far is “100% bulletproof,” but the promised “hydrogen bomb” — a more explosive, definitive set of revelations — has not yet been dropped.
- Procedural Safeguards: According to the EC’s statement, electoral rules require field verification and that no changes can be made without hearing the affected. The EC says public deletion online by arbitrary persons is not permitted.
Why It Matters
- Trust in Democratic Institutions
Allegations that the body responsible for running elections is complicit or failing to guard against large-scale roll manipulations strike at the heart of democratic legitimacy. If citizens believe the electoral rolls are being tampered with unfairly, trust in elections is eroded. - Voter Suppression / Disenfranchisement
If valid voters are being deleted without their knowledge, many could be disenfranchised. Given that Gandhi claims many such deletions are in areas where Congress is strong, the allegations suggest selective disenfranchisement, which, if true, is deeply problematic. - Precedent for Oversight and Accountability
The controversy forces a test of the mechanisms for oversight: Can CID or police get the technical logs (IP, OTPs)? Can the EC transparently show how it handles deletion requests? Will complaints result in real consequences if irregularities are found? - Political Stakes
Naturally, there’s a political dimension. Rahul Gandhi and the Congress are using this issue to galvanize support and to raise questions about the fairness of elections under the current EC leadership and the ruling party. The BJP is on the defensive, accusing Gandhi of making unverified claims. How this plays out will affect public perception ahead of elections.
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