Did Maha CEO Address Rahul Gandhi's Allegations? 40.81 Lakh New Voters Post 2024 Lok Sabha Elections

Mumbai, June 12 (NationPress) The Maharashtra Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), S. Chockalingam, on Thursday, responded to the claims made by Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, regarding allegations of electoral manipulation during last year's state Assembly elections. He stated that the total increase in voters between the 2019 Assembly elections and the 2024 Lok Sabha elections was 1.39 crore, with an additional 48.82 lakh from the 2024 Lok Sabha to the 2024 Assembly polls.

Chockalingam explained, "There was a net growth of 32.25 lakh voters from the 2019 Assembly elections to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections due to 1.39 crore additions and 1.07 crore deletions. The total addition from the 2024 Lok Sabha elections to the 2024 Assembly elections was 48.82 lakh, with 8 lakh deletions, resulting in a net increment of 40.81 lakh voters post 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Notably, over 26 lakh of these new voters were aged between 18 to 29 years," he added.

Addressing the serious allegations posed by Gandhi regarding voter modifications in the electoral rolls, Chockalingam clarified, "Indian electoral laws do not allow centralized voter additions or deletions. In accordance with the Representation of People's Act, 1950, and the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, electoral rolls were prepared at the polling station level by 288 Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), following thorough field verifications by approximately 100,000 Booth Level Officers (BLOs). Political parties, including Congress, were given numerous opportunities to submit objections and appeals."

He further stated, "Prior to the Maharashtra Assembly elections in August 2024, a special summary revision of the electoral rolls was conducted, and both draft and final versions of the electoral rolls were shared with all recognized political parties, including Congress, allowing for claims and objections. The assertions made regarding voter additions in Maharashtra are misleading," Chockalingam emphasized.

Regarding concerns about the number of voters exceeding projected adult population figures, the CEO articulated that population projections cannot dictate the addition or deletion of voters on the electoral roll. Voter registration is strictly based on individual forms submitted by the public, which undergo field verification and are assessed by the ERO, with ongoing communication with recognized political parties throughout the process.

"During the electoral roll revision, booth level agents (BLAs) from every recognized political party are actively involved. Congress appointed 28,421 BLAs in Maharashtra. No serious objections were raised by any Congress BLAs or candidates until the election results were announced. The issue was only raised post-results," he continued.

"Electoral rolls are annually revised through a participatory method. During this annual process, the electoral rolls are freely shared with recognized political parties, including Congress, first in draft form and again after finalization. Similar processes were followed in 2009, 2014, 2019, and 2024, with electoral rolls provided to the Congress party and other political entities. A complete version of the electoral roll utilized for the 2024 Assembly elections is also accessible on the public website for download. According to Rule 33 of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, any individual, including representatives from Congress, can request a copy of the retained electoral rolls from the relevant District Election Officer for a fee," the CEO remarked.

He added that he had already explained the statutory position in an order dated May 22, 2025, to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, who had requested a copy of the electoral rolls. These copies were provided to Congress during the revision process, affirming transparency in the electoral system.