Saturday, March 29, 2025
“We’re Getting Help from Inside the Election Commission,” Rahul Gandhi Alleges, Demands Answers Over ‘Vote Theft’
New Delhi, September 18, 2025 — Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday made a serious allegation that votes are being unlawfully removed and added from electoral rolls — and claimed he is now receiving corroborating information from within the Election Commission of India (ECI).
Rahul cited two recent constituency examples to support his charge: Aland in Karnataka, where he said more than 6,000 names were removed from the rolls, and Rajura in Maharashtra, where he alleged over 6,800 votes were illegally added. He has given the Election Commission a one-week ultimatum to respond to these claims.
“We are beginning to receive help from inside the Election Commission,” Rahul said. “This did not happen before, but reports are now coming in. This trend will not stop because the people of India will not accept it. Once Indians learn that votes are being stolen, they will use their power.”
On whether he would approach the courts, Rahul said his primary role is to lead the opposition and press the government, but he insisted that protecting Indian democracy is also his duty. “If institutions within India are being compromised, only the people of this country can save our democracy,” he said. “My job as an opposition leader is to apply pressure. As an Indian patriot and a good citizen, it is my duty to protect democracy.”
Rahul framed the alleged manipulation as a long-running problem. “Vote theft has been going on for 10–15 years. If it continues, our democracy cannot be saved,” he warned. He said insiders who want to act are now coming forward with information and that the pattern of removals and additions to electoral rolls is spreading across different states.
The charge is likely to heighten political tensions ahead of future elections. Opposition leaders will push for transparency and a prompt investigation by the ECI, while the ruling party may reject the allegations as politically motivated. Rahul’s public ultimatum places pressure on the election authority to clarify the specifics of the claims and the steps it will take to investigate.
