EC on ‘Vote Theft’ Row: Parties Ignored Roll Errors Earlier, Says Poll Body

New Delhi, August 16, 2025 — The Election Commission (EC) on Saturday pushed back against allegations of electoral manipulation, asserting that political parties should have flagged errors in voter rolls during the claims and objections period of past elections, rather than raising them belatedly.

The statement comes amid a heated war of words after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the poll body of “vote theft” and collusion with the BJP. Gandhi has also launched a “Vote Adhikar Yatra” in Bihar, calling the alleged irregularities an “attack on the Constitution.”

Key Highlights

EC Responds: Says rolls are shared with parties beforehand for corrections; blames delay on “inattention.”

No Collusion: Rejects claims of conspiracy, insists due process was always followed.

Rahul’s Charge: Accused EC of aiding BJP by allowing duplicate voter IDs in Bihar.

EC’s Counter: Called terms like “vote chori” derogatory and aimed at creating a false narrative.

Protests Escalate: Rahul’s yatra to cover 20 districts in 16 days; RJD also alleges fraud.

Context & Background

The dispute erupted after Congress cited discrepancies in voter lists, particularly in Karnataka’s Mahadevapura assembly segment and Bihar’s revised rolls. Gandhi branded his findings as an “atom bomb” against the EC, accusing it of eroding democratic rights.

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav also alleged that BJP workers in Bihar were issued two EPIC numbers, calling it a “deliberate fraud.”

The EC, however, insisted it was committed to “purifying electoral rolls” and invited scrutiny from all stakeholders. It also asked Gandhi to file a sworn affidavit, which he refused, citing his constitutional oath.