NEW DELHI – The Election Commission of India has challenged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s recent claims about voter fraud, specifically disputing his assertion that a 70-year-old woman voted twice in elections.
The controversy centers around a case presented by Gandhi during a recent opposition meeting, where he detailed the story of Shakun Rani, whom he alleged had registered as a voter twice using Form 6 – a document typically reserved for first-time voters.
The Allegations
During his presentation, the Leader of Opposition claimed that Rani had used Form 6 on two separate occasions within a few months, resulting in her name appearing twice on the voter list despite her age. Gandhi suggested this indicated potential electoral manipulation.
“There are thousands of people who have used Form 6 to put their names 2-3 times in the voter list,” Gandhi alleged, presenting what he described as evidence of systematic fraud.
Election Commission’s Response
The Election Commission issued a detailed rebuttal, stating that their investigation revealed Shakun Rani voted only once, contrary to Gandhi’s claims. The poll body questioned the authenticity of documents presented by Gandhi, noting that materials shown during his presentation “are not documents issued by the polling officer.”
In a formal notice to Gandhi, the EC requested he provide substantive evidence supporting his allegations to enable a comprehensive investigation.
Broader Context
This exchange is part of an ongoing dispute between the Congress party and the Election Commission regarding electoral integrity. Gandhi had previously claimed his party sought digital voter lists and CCTV footage from polling stations but was denied access, leading them to conduct independent investigations through Right to Information requests.
The opposition INDIA bloc has been raising concerns about electoral roll revisions in Bihar and what they characterize as systematic electoral irregularities.
Political Reactions
The BJP defended the Election Commission, with spokesperson Amit Malviya challenging Gandhi to submit his claims under oath as required by electoral rules. The ruling party characterized Gandhi’s presentation as “political theatre” lacking substantive evidence.
Next Steps
The opposition alliance plans to march from Parliament to the Election Commission’s Delhi office on Monday, followed by a dinner meeting hosted by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge for INDIA bloc MPs.
The Election Commission has indicated it will conduct a detailed inquiry once Gandhi provides the requested documentation supporting his allegations.
