Submit declaration within 10 days, Haryana's Chief Electoral Officer to Rahul Gandhi

Two days after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi responded to the Election Commission of India's demand for an affidavit on allegations of "vote theft", Haryana's Chief Electoral Officer A Sreeniwas has shot off a letter to the leader asking for a "declaration/oath" within 10 days.

The letter issued here today says, "This is to draw your kind attention to this office communication dated 09.08.2025, referring to the statements made by you during the press conference held on August 7 pertaining to the alleged inclusion of ineligible electors and exclusion of eligible electors in the electoral rolls of Haryana."

The communication "requests" him to furnish the particulars of the electors concerned, along with the duly signed declaration/oath under Rule 20(3)(b) of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.

"It is requested that the signed declaration/oath may be returned to this office within ten (10) days, so that necessary proceedings may be initiated in accordance with the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, and the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960," states the letter, which is on the lines of similar letters received from CEOs of other states. Rahul has already stated that he has taken oath in Parliament, and on the Constitution.

Reacting to this, a former CM, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, said the Congress leader would give a "befitting reply" to these letters.

Rajya Sabha MP and Congress general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala said, "The Haryana CEO's notice is a poor attempt at stonewalling and avoiding the principal question of voter theft raised by Rahul Gandhi. The demand for an affidavit is a weak attempt to cover up the theft and seek refuge in technicalities and failed legal arguments."