Why is Congress Criticizing the ECI’s Position on 'Vote Theft'?
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Synopsis
In a fiery press conference, Congress leaders Priyank Kharge and B.R. Patil challenge the Election Commission of India's denials on voter fraud allegations. They assert that ECI's claims are false and demand transparency on the troubling voter deletion issue. This escalating political drama raises crucial questions about electoral integrity in Karnataka.
Key Takeaways
- Congress leaders challenged ECI's claims.
- Allegations of 6,670 fraudulent voter deletions raised serious concerns.
- Call for transparency in electoral processes is crucial.
- Political tensions escalate as parties defend their positions.
- Electoral integrity remains a significant issue in Karnataka.
Bengaluru, Sep 19 (NationPress) The Congress party has sharply criticized the Election Commission of India (ECI) for its recent clarifications and denials concerning the allegations of 'vote chori' made by Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha. In a joint press conference, Priyank Kharge, Minister for RDPR, IT and BT, along with B.R. Patil, MLA from Aland, dismissed the ECI’s claims as a complete falsehood.
During the press conference held in Bengaluru, Minister Kharge remarked, "Following Rahul Gandhi’s press conference, the Election Commission has begun to portray itself as the one who uncovered and addressed voter fraud. They assert that they independently halted the removal of names from the electoral rolls. This is nothing but a blatant lie."
“On February 11, 2023, in Kalaburagi, both B.R. Patil and I conducted a press event where we disclosed that 6,670 fraudulent online applications had been submitted to erase names from the voters’ list.
On February 20, 2023, I formally contacted the Chief Election Commissioner in Delhi regarding the voter deletion process. Subsequently, Kalaburagi AC Mamata assured us of action, leading to the registration of an FIR on February 21, 2023. The FIR clearly indicates that a case was initiated based on B.R. Patil’s complaint about the unlawful deletion of 6,670 voters from the Aland constituency," Minister Kharge elaborated.
After an initial investigation, a returning officer confirmed B.R. Patil’s allegations. Out of 6,180 applications, only 24 were legitimate; the remaining 5,994 voters had not requested any deletions. Officials admitted that they were uncertain about how these requests were generated. When questioned, neither the voters nor the BLOs were aware of how such requests were made, Kharge alleged.
Upon examining the technical aspects, it was revealed that the mobile numbers used for filing the deletion requests originated from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Odisha. Further inquiry is warranted. Officials noted that the investigation could proceed if OTPs, IP addresses, and additional technical data were supplied. However, the Chief Election Commissioner misleadingly asserted that all information had already been provided, Kharge criticized.
"The Cyber Crime Division has stated that they sent 18 letters over the past 18 months to the CEO requesting OTP, mobile numbers, login details, IP addresses, and device IDs, yet they received no responses," he emphasized.
"On February 4, 2025, the Chief Electoral Officer addressed the Principal Secretary of the Election Commission, referencing letters dated between March 29, 2023, and January 19, 2025. If all details were truly shared, why did the Karnataka CEO continue to send letters? It is evident that the Election Commission is deceiving us," Kharge stated.
"Does the Election Commission even possess basic intelligence? Rahul Gandhi never indicated that voters’ names could be deleted online. He merely pointed out the misuse of Form No. 7. Yet, the Commission is hurling false accusations," he added.
The EC claims that all documents were submitted by September 6, 2023.
If this were accurate, why were over 15 additional letters dispatched? Rahul Gandhi has raised questions towards the Election Commission, yet it is peculiar that the BJP is the one rushing to provide answers.
Leaders such as Sambit Patra, Gajendra Singh, P.C. Mohan, Dinesh, Keshav Prasad Maurya, Kishan Singh, Vishnu Deo Singh, and Ashok are all eagerly defending the Commission, he stated.
When B.R. Patil brought this issue to light in 2023, both the central and state governments were under BJP leadership. It was officials appointed by the BJP who sent all these letters. Why is the Election Commission hesitant to disclose information? Previously, the EC operated effectively, but now it appears to be functioning as a puppet, he criticized.
Both the central and state Election Commissions have misled the public. They must provide clear explanations for all these matters. The reasons behind the Karnataka Election Commission’s dishonesty remain an enigma, Kharge concluded.
MLA B.R. Patil expressed, "I commend Rahul Gandhi for highlighting the Aland voter fraud situation on a national platform and extend my gratitude to Priyank Kharge for his unwavering support."
Point of View
It is imperative to approach the situation with neutrality and factual clarity. The allegations made by the Congress against the Election Commission raise significant concerns about electoral integrity. While the ECI defends its actions, the accusations highlight a pressing need for transparency within the electoral process.
NationPress
20/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main allegation against the ECI?
The main allegation is that the Election Commission of India denied claims of voter fraud and falsely presented itself as having stopped the deletion of voters' names from electoral rolls.
Who are the key figures involved in the press conference?
The key figures include Priyank Kharge, Minister for RDPR, IT and BT, and B.R. Patil, MLA from Aland, representing the Congress party.
What evidence did the Congress party present?
The Congress party presented evidence of 6,670 fake online applications submitted to remove names from the voters' list, along with documentation of complaints made to the Chief Election Commissioner.
What has been the ECI's response?
The ECI has denied the allegations, claiming that all necessary information was shared and that they acted to stop any fraudulent activities.
How has this issue been perceived politically?
This issue has escalated into a significant political debate, with Congress accusing the ECI of dishonesty and demanding accountability, while BJP leaders rush to defend the Commission.
