Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has levelled new allegations of large-scale voter roll manipulation, claiming names are being struck off at lightning speed. “Someone can wake up at 4 in the morning, delete two voters in 36 seconds, and go back to sleep,” he remarked at a press interaction, calling it proof of “voter theft” in action.
Gandhi cited examples from Aland constituency in Karnataka, where he alleged that fake logins and outside mobile numbers were used to process deletions via Form-7 requests. He also claimed that the state CID had repeatedly asked the Election Commission (EC) for technical evidence, such as IP logs and OTP details, but never received cooperation.
The Election Commission quickly dismissed the charge, insisting that no names can be removed from rolls without mandatory verification. Officials stressed that established procedures ensure fairness and prevent mass deletion through online tools alone.
The BJP too hit back sharply, accusing Gandhi of spreading misinformation. Party leaders said his remarks were baseless, irresponsible, and politically motivated, arguing that he was trying to cast doubt on democratic institutions without presenting solid proof.
While Gandhi frames his comments as a warning against electoral fraud, both the EC and BJP argue his claims erode public trust without cause. The row has reignited debate about whether India’s voter roll system has enough transparency and safeguards.
As Karnataka prepares for upcoming electoral contests, the issue of voter deletions has become a political flashpoint. Gandhi has demanded the EC make all digital records public, while the BJP maintains the opposition is simply manufacturing controversy.
