Congress leader accuses Election Commission of enabling mass deletion of Opposition votes in Karnataka using fake credentials; EC denies, BJP terms it “frustration” over electoral losses.
Rahul Gandhi Accuses EC of Centralised Voter Deletion Ahead of Polls
Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has levelled serious allegations against the Election Commission of India (ECI), claiming that a centralised software system was used to delete voter IDs in Congress strongholds during the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections. The move, he alleged, was executed using fake logins and phone numbers from outside the state, suggesting a large-scale, tech-driven operation targeting Opposition voters.
Key Allegations Made by Rahul Gandhi
- Voter IDs were deleted centrally, using software, not manually.
- The deletion operation was carried out using fake mobile numbers and identities.
- The targeted voters primarily belonged to communities supporting the Opposition.
- Gandhi claimed to possess “100% proof”, although no documentary evidence was made public at the time.
- In Aland constituency, 6,018 voter deletions were attempted — exposed when a booth-level officer’s uncle’s vote was removed.
- People whose credentials were used to delete voter IDs reportedly had no knowledge of the action.
Rahul Gandhi Targets Election Commission, CEC Gyanesh Kumar
Calling out Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Gandhi accused the EC of stonewalling investigations:
- Claimed that the Karnataka CID sent 18 letters in 18 months to the EC seeking data.
- Requested technical details like IP addresses and OTP logs linked to voter deletion.
- Alleged that the EC refused to cooperate, shielding those behind the operation.
- Warned the EC: “Release the data within a week or be seen as protecting the attackers of our democracy.”
“This is an Attack on the Constitution” – Rahul Gandhi
In a dramatic gesture, Rahul Gandhi held up a copy of the Indian Constitution, urging the youth to see the deletion scandal as a direct attack on their rights and future.
“Your jobs, your future, your aspirations all come from this [Constitution]. When they withhold information, they are defending the murderers of our democracy.”
BJP & EC Respond: “Baseless, Misconceived Allegations”
Sources within the Election Commission rebutted Gandhi’s claims:
- Called the allegations “incorrect and baseless.”
- Confirmed that in 2023, some unsuccessful deletion attempts were made in Aland, but an FIR was filed by the EC itself.
- Clarified that voter deletion cannot be done online without notice or opportunity to be heard.
- Stated that the constituency in question was won by Congress in 2023, undermining the claim of political bias.
BJP Hits Back
BJP leader Anurag Thakur dismissed Gandhi’s statements as:
- A sign of “mounting frustration” after losing 90% of elections under his leadership.
- A habit of making baseless allegations.
- Noted that court reprimands have become “routine” for Rahul Gandhi.
What’s at Stake?
This high-voltage political confrontation comes just ahead of key state and national elections, with:
- Questions over voter data security and election transparency.
- Renewed scrutiny on the neutrality and functioning of the Election Commission.
- A political battle between narratives of “defending democracy” and “crying foul after defeat.”
Rahul Gandhi’s explosive claims have put the spotlight back on the integrity of India’s electoral system, while the BJP and Election Commission maintain that due process was followed and any wrongdoing is being duly investigated. As calls for transparency grow louder, all eyes are now on the Election Commission’s response in the coming days.
