Have ‘solid proof’ EC helped BJP steal votes: Rahul Gandhi

A major confrontation is brewing between the Congress and the Election Commission (EC) after Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi accused the poll body of facilitating “vote theft” in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and other states.

Rahul claimed he had “solid proof” of the electoral malpractice. The remark comes a day after the Congress leader claimed he had proof of “vote theft” in one constituency of Karnataka and announced a protest in Bengaluru on August 5, where he would submit evidence to the State Election Commissioner.

INDIA bloc parties have also decided to gherao the EC on August 8 over the issue. In response, the poll panel dismissed the allegations as baseless, stating it routinely ignores such charges and has advised its officials to do the same.

Speaking outside Parliament, Rahul said the EC was actively aiding the BJP in “vote theft”, calling it an “open-and-shut case” with irrefutable evidence. “When we release our findings, the entire country will see how the EC is stealing votes for the BJP,” he alleged, adding that the revelations would be an “atom bomb” leaving the commission with no place to hide.

Rahul cited suspicions of irregularities in the 2023 Madhya Pradesh Assembly polls and the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, particularly in Maharashtra, where “crores of voters were added in a short period”. “After failing to get redressal from the EC, we conducted our own six-month investigation, which, uncovered damning evidence. Those people in the EC who are involved, from top to bottom, should remember that they will not be spared because they are working against India,” he claimed.

The EC rebutted Rahul’s claims on social media, labelling these “misleading, threatening and devoid of truth.” The commission pointed out that the Lok Sabha elections concluded over a year ago, with no election petitions filed by losing Congress candidates.

“Now after a year has passed, by levelling allegations of vote theft, threatening poll personnel and making baseless claims is absolutely irresponsible,” the EC said in the post on X.

It also clarified that voter lists in Karnataka were prepared transparently with input from all political parties, including the Congress and no objections were raised at the time.

EC sources revealed that Rahul had been sent a mail on June 12, but he neither responded nor approached the commission with any formal complaint. “He is making wild allegations and has now even started threatening the EC and its staff. The EC ignores all such irresponsible statements,” the poll panel said.