Is the ECI's Integrity in Question Amid Rahul Gandhi's Vote Theft Allegations?

Mumbai, Aug 11 (NationPress) The Shiv Sena(UBT) on Monday questioned the operational integrity of the Election Commission of India (ECI) concerning allegations made by Rahul Gandhi regarding vote theft and electoral fraud, calling for a comprehensive investigation. The Uddhav Thackeray faction, through its mouthpiece 'Saamana', suggested that the ECI is functioning under the influence of the BJP. "The BJP has ascended to power in both the Centre and Maharashtra via electoral deceit and voter manipulation," the editorial stated.

Concerns were raised regarding the ECI's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process in Bihar ahead of the forthcoming state Assembly elections. "Rahul Gandhi has shed light on the ECI's falsehoods regarding vote theft through a press conference. The ECI should conduct an in-depth investigation into his accusations rather than demanding he submit an affidavit," it remarked.

Furthermore, the editorial highlighted, "The BJP seems to have forgotten that the ECI is a constitutional entity, yet it has become the agency's role to mislead the unsuspecting public."

The Thackeray faction cautioned that if the misled populace takes to the streets to voice their frustration, it may lead to unfavorable consequences for the electoral body. "Public protests against the ECI at India Gate could occur, and such a scenario should be avoided. The Election Commission of India has turned into a spectacle funded by the BJP. Observing the current Chief Election Commissioner's actions and his apparent favoritism towards the BJP, it is evident that previous Election Commissioners performed better. The present CEC has a history of collaboration with Amit Shah in the Home Department and later in the Ministry of Cooperation, and it was Shah who facilitated his appointment at the ECI. What else can the current CEC do other than exhibit loyalty to HM Amit Shah?” the editorial queried.

'Saamana' asserted that Rahul Gandhi provided evidence indicating that the Election Commission and the BJP colluded to steal votes by forming an 'alliance'. "Gandhi boldly revealed how this theft was orchestrated, the tactics involved, and the ECI's role in this vote-stealing case. This has torn apart the façade of Indian democracy and the current electoral system. Any conscientious Election Commissioner would have resigned over ethical grounds and apologized to the citizens of India," it added.

“The BJP emerged victorious and Narendra Modi could potentially serve as Prime Minister again solely due to extensive vote tampering in at least 50 Lok Sabha constituencies. In 25 of these seats, anti-BJP candidates were leading until the final count. There, the counting was halted, manipulations occurred, and ultimately the BJP candidates were declared victorious. It is evident that votes and victories were illicitly obtained in approximately 50-55 constituencies. Rahul Gandhi has exposed all this. These irregularities require investigation, but the ECI is dismissing them. Instead, they are requesting Rahul Gandhi to provide an affidavit. This response from the electoral body is imprudent,” the editorial emphasized.

Voicing support for Rahul Gandhi, the Thackeray faction stated, "As the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, he has taken an oath in Parliament per the Constitution. Therefore, the ECI should have faith in his statements. Instead, the ECI insists that Rahul Gandhi submit an affidavit under oath, rather than conducting an impartial investigation into his claims. This is tantamount to justifying the BJP's vote theft. The constitutional institutions of our nation are under threat."

“What does it signify that the ECI destroyed the electronic data related to the scandal in over 25 seats won by the BJP with margins of 35,000 votes or less? The same occurred in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, where a significant number of fraudulent votes were cast. Thousands of votes were inappropriately recorded through 'Form 6', which is designated for new voters, but numerous voters aged 60, 70, and 80 registered. These duplicate voters first cast their votes in Karnataka, then in Maharashtra, and also in Uttar Pradesh. In Bihar, amid grand claims of 'transparency', the ECI conducted SIR and released a voter list. However, new scams and fraudulent activities are now surfacing. The BJP is undermining Indian democracy by exerting control over the electoral body,” the Thackeray faction alleged.

"Rahul Gandhi has substantiated the vote theft with evidence, convincing millions of voters that the BJP has secured electoral victories through deceit. Voters feel they have been betrayed and cheated. The BJP's triumph in the Lok Sabha and Maharashtra Assembly went uncelebrated, which is why the public did not rejoice. The victories of the BJP and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena were not genuine. People still struggle to accept that the BJP has emerged victorious. Even if we attribute the victory in Maharashtra to initiatives like the Ladki Bahin Yojana and other populist strategies implemented by the BJP-Shiv Sena, such a massive win was improbable," the editorial concluded.