Rahul Gandhi claims has ‘open-and-shut proof’ of alleged electoral malpractice, ECI calls it ‘baseless, irresponsible’

NEW DELHI: Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Friday criticised the Election Commission of India (ECI), accusing the poll body of being complicit in “vote theft” to benefit the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Gandhi claimed his party has “open-and-shut proof” of the alleged electoral malpractice, which he likened to an “atom bomb” that will expose the ECI’s involvement when revealed.

Talking to reporters on the Bihar Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, the Congress said, “Votes are being stolen. We have open-and-shut proof that the Election Commission is involved in this vote theft. And I’m not saying this lightly, I’m speaking with 100 pc proof. And when we release it (proof), the entire country will come to know that the Election Commission is enabling vote theft. And who are they doing it for? They’re doing it for the BJP.”

Gandhi said that the findings of an investigation by the Congress amount to nothing short of an “atom bomb,” with implications severe enough to shake the very foundations of the ECI.

“We had suspicion of voter theft, and we got into its granularity. Since the Election Commision was not helpful in the investigation, we did our own. It took six months, and the things we found are an ‘Atom Bomb’ and when this atom bomb explodes, you won’t see the Election Commission in the country,” he added.

Gandhi warned that the findings are explosive and will have severe implications for the ECI, and warned ECI officials involved in the alleged malpractice that they will face consequences, even if they are retired. He described their actions as “no less than treason”.

“Most importantly, whoever in the Elections Commission is involved in this exercise, right from top to bottom, we will not spare you. You are working against India and this no less than treason. Wherever you are, even if you are retired, we will find you,” said the Lok Sabha LoP.

In response to the allegation, the Election Commission of India rejected the opposition claims of vote theft ahead of the Bihar elections, calling them baseless and irresponsible.

The EC said its officials should continue working fairly and transparently, without being affected by daily threats or false statements.

As per the statement from ECI, “Election Commission ignores such baseless allegations being made on a daily basis and despite threats being given daily, asks all election officials to ignore such irresponsible statements while working impartially and transparently.”The Election Commission of India has also responded to Congress leader and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi, saying he ignored official messages sent on June 12 and never raised any concerns through proper channels.

Terming his recent accusations and threats as “wild” and “deplorable. “As per the statement of ECI, “1. ECI sends a mail to him on 12 June 2025. He does not come. 2. ECI sends him a letter on 12 June 2025, he does not respond. 3. He has never sent any letter to ECI on any issue, whatsoever 4. It is very strange that he is making wild allegations and has now even started threatening EC and its staff. Deplorable ! 5. ECI ignores all such irresponsible statements and asks all its staff to continue working impartially and transparently.”

Earlier today, the Election Commission of India fact-checked Rahul Gandhi’s claim over “irregularities in 2024 Lok Sabha polls in Karnataka. ECI said that the statement made by the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha is “misleading, baseless, and threatening”.

Meanwhile, BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, attributing his frustration to the party’s electoral losses. Prasad stated that Gandhi’s party has lost key elections, including the country “for the third time,” as well as Maharashtra, Haryana, and Delhi, with Bihar and Bengal likely to follow suit.

“All of Rahul Gandhi’s frustration stems from the fact that he doesn’t get votes. So, what can we do about it? They lost the country for the third time, lost Maharashtra, lost Haryana, lost Delhi, and now they will lose Bihar and Bengal too, so what can we do about it? When they won, was the Election Commission fine then?… Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party should first look within themselves to understand why the public isn’t voting for them…” Prasad told ANI.

He defended the Election Commission’s actions, particularly regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar, where voter lists are being updated. Prasad argued that the process aims to ensure that only genuine voters participate.

“Regarding the SIR issue, 99.9% of people in Bihar have filled out the forms. The law clearly states that only genuine voters who reside in that area can vote… So, if this action is being taken, why are they troubled by it? Do they want to win based on such fake voters?… At least once, Rahul Gandhi should speak frankly,” he said.

Meanwhile, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju also refuted the claims made by Rahul Gandhi against the Election Commission’s involvement in voter fraud and stated that the opposition was running a “malicious plan” to discredit constitutional organisations, further stating that the Congress leader was “threatening” Constitutional organisations.

“This is not the first time Rahul Gandhi is threatening Constitutional organisations… This is a huge conspiracy to weaken democracy… This is a very dangerous behaviour and approach. The opposition is running a malicious plan to discredit constitutional organisations. It is an attack on democracy…” Rijiju said.

Rijiju highlighted the growing divide between the opposition and claimed that even opposition leaders had started internally opposing Rahul Gandhi. “Even the opposition party leaders have started to oppose Rahul Gandhi internally… People have started saying Rahul is playing a dirty game and wants to destroy the country’s image…” he further added.

Moreover, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Jagdambika Pal stated that Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi’s objections to the voter list revision in Bihar are aimed at protecting illegal voters, including Rohingyas and Bangladeshis.

He said the Election Commission is an independent body responsible for ensuring that only eligible Indian citizens can vote.

while speaking Jagdambika Pal said, “…As LoP, he should be aware that the Election Commission is a constitutional body and is completely independent. It is EC’s responsibility to ensure fair and free elections. Before the elections, they must verify door-to-door the names of those who have died and ensure they are removed from the voter list. Similarly, those who have been transferred should also have their names deleted. Only individuals who are 18 years or older should be part of the voter list.”

“A person who is Rohingya, Bangladeshi, or an illegal foreigner, if they have illegally become a voter, has no right to vote; only Indian citizens can vote in elections. Whatever charges he is levelling are to protect the Rohingya, Bangladeshi, and illegal voters,” he added.

Earlier in the day, proceedings of the Upper House of the Parliament were adjourned till August 4 amid sloganeering by the Opposition against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list in poll-bound Bihar.

Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Harivansh, adjourned the House as the Opposition MPs demanded a discussion on the SIR exercise in Bihar. Dy Chairman dismissed the notices for Suspension of Business in the House.

He denied permission to discuss the matter, saying, “The Election Commission is a constitutional body and the matter is subjudice in the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, the proceedings in the Upper House of the Parliament on the 10th day of the ongoing Monsoon Session were also adjourned till August 4.
Additionally, Members of Parliament from the INDIA bloc parties protested in front of Makar Dawar in Parliament on Friday, demanding a discussion in both Houses on special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar.

The protesting members, including Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, held a banner which reads “the SIR: war on democracy”. (ANI)