Are Rahul Gandhi’s Claims of Vote Deletions in Karnataka Valid?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- ECI dismissed allegations of vote deletions.
- Rahul Gandhi claimed significant voter deletions.
- Political implications for upcoming Bihar elections.
- Investigation into attempts to delete votes underway.
- Transparency in electoral processes is essential.
New Delhi, Sep 18 (NationPress) The Election Commission of India (ECI) has firmly dismissed Rahul Gandhi’s accusations regarding significant voter deletions in Karnataka’s Aland Assembly constituency, labeling them as ‘unfounded and erroneous’.
Furthermore, it critiqued the comprehension of the electoral process by Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party, stating that the notion of vote deletions through any ‘online tool’ is a mere fallacy.
Earlier on the same day, during a special press conference, Rahul Gandhi asserted that mass deletions of votes were occurring, especially in regions supportive of Congress, through fraudulent logins and using phone numbers registered outside the state. He claimed a ‘systematic and organized’ approach to deleting votes, specifically alleging that 6,018 votes were erased in the Aland constituency.
The ECI swiftly countered Rahul Gandhi's accusations, clarifying that no public member could delete votes and that such actions cannot be executed online, as “misunderstood by Shri Rahul Gandhi”.
“No deletion can occur without granting an opportunity for the affected individual to be heard,” emphasized the ECI.
The electoral authority also revealed that in 2023, there were attempts to delete electors in the Aland Assembly constituency, prompting the ECI to file an FIR to further investigate.
For context, the Aland constituency, which Rahul Gandhi has identified as a Congress bastion, was won by Subhadh Guttedar (BJP) in 2018 and B.R. Patil (INC) in 2023.
Gandhi’s recent allegations of voter deletions in Aland are poised to intensify the political landscape. The ECI is likely to formally refute his claims, while the BJP is expected to label these accusations as Congress’ latest effort to cloud the electoral environment ahead of the Bihar elections.
Significantly, just a month prior, Rahul Gandhi held another press conference claiming that one lakh votes were erroneously added in Karnataka’s Mahadevpura constituency.