Rahul Gandhi Poses Five Questions to Election Commission Over Poll Rigging Allegations; Sister Priyanka Backs Claims, Slams Affidavit Demand

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has intensified his challenge to the Election Commission of India. He has alleged that it aided the BJP in “voter theft” during the 2024 general elections and subsequent state polls.

In a public statement, Gandhi listed five questions for the ECI: why the opposition has not received the digital voter list; why CCTV and video footage are being deleted; why fake and duplicate voters remain on rolls; why opposition leaders face intimidation; and whether the Commission now acts as an “agent” of the BJP.

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Gandhi said India’s democracy was “priceless” and warned of “dire” consequences if its integrity continued to be undermined. His remarks follow claims that 1,00,250 fraudulent entries were created in Karnataka’s Mahadevapura assembly segment, allegedly benefiting the BJP’s candidate.

The figures, presented at a press conference, cited duplicate voters, invalid addresses, bulk registrations at single locations, and misuse of Form 6. Gandhi also accused the ECI of erasing evidence by limiting preservation of election-related CCTV and webcast footage to 45 days unless results face legal challenge.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra supported the allegations, calling on the ECI to launch an immediate investigation. She criticised the Commission’s demand for a sworn affidavit, saying the legal window tied to such a document would make action impossible after 30 days.

State Chief Electoral Officers in Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Haryana have formally asked Rahul Gandhi to submit the names of voters allegedly added or removed incorrectly, along with a signed declaration under election rules. 

The ECI has rejected the charges as “baseless” but insisted on procedural compliance before initiating any review.

Priyanka likened the situation to a teacher ignoring a report of cheating, saying the Commission was focusing on paperwork instead of the substance of the claims. 

She added that the INDIA opposition alliance would decide next steps collectively and accused the government of avoiding parliamentary debate on the matter.

The dispute has become a flashpoint over electoral integrity in the world’s largest democracy, with the opposition alleging systemic bias in the ECI’s functioning and the Commission maintaining that its processes are impartial and legally sound.