Rahul Gandhi, a Congress leader and the current Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, has been involved in a public confrontation with the Election Commission for the last few months over allegations of bias, selective action, and restrictions on opposition speech during the run-up to the last general elections. Rahul Gandhi has the habit of accusing the ruling BJP and PM Modi of using central agencies to influence elections and misusing government machinery to suppress opposition.
Rahul Gandhi recently made claims of election manipulation, focusing on a case involving 70-year-old Shakun Rani of Karnataka. He alleged that she was registered twice as a voter within two months using Form-6, which is meant for first-time voters. Gandhi questioned whether Rani herself voted or if someone else did in her name, citing the lack of CCTV footage as evidence.
The Election Commission (EC) has refuted these allegations, stating that their enquiry found Shakun Rani only voted once. The also clarified that the document Rahul Gandhi presented, showing tick marks by a polling booth officer, was not issued by any official. The EC has requested Rahul Gandhi to provide documents supporting his claims for further investigation.
During and INDI alliance meeting, Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP and the EC of colluding to manipulate the elections. He claimed his party sought digital voter lists and CCTV footage but received no response. Instead they conducted their own investigation using RTI requests to gather data.
The BJP defended the EC and criticized Rahul Gandhi for tarnishing a constitutional body’s reputation. A spoke person of the BJP challenged Rahul Gandhi to submit names of ineligible voters under oath as per Rule 20(3)(b) of the Registration of Electoral Rules, 1960. Failing to do so would expose Gandhi’s actions as mere political theatrics.
This controversy arose during discussions about electoral roll revisions in Bihar and alleged vote theft models involving the BJP and the EC. The EC earlier asked Rahul Gandhi to either substantiate his allegations under oath or apologise publicly. They dismissed his claims as ‘distorted and baseless’ and warned that not signing a declaration would imply disbelief in his own analysis.
Rahul Gandhi’s presentation included accusation of ‘huge criminal fraud’ in elections through alleged collusion between BJP and the EC. The ongoing tensions between political parties over electoral integrity in India. As both sides continue to exchange accusations, public attention remains focused on ensuring fair election processes across the country.
Legal Position
The Constitutional Experts point out that Rule 20(3)(b), cited by the EC, only applies to objections raised during draft electoral roll phase. Once elections are over and results declared, such issues must be addressed through election petitions in the appropriate High Court. Critics of the EC have argued that demanding an affidavit from Rahul Gandhi at this stage may go beyond its constitutional role under Article 324. The EC, however has maintained that its procedures were in line with the established norms, and that any post-election grievances must follow legal procedures.
Karnataka Chief Electoral officer (CEO) yesterday issued notice to Rahul Gandhi asking him to substantiate his charge that Shaku Rani, a voter in Mahadevapura assembly segment in Bengaluru Central Lok Sabha seat, had voted twice.
I fail to understand the following:
1 If Rahul Gandhi said Shakun Rani had two voters ID and voted twice, then he should welcome the decision of the EC for revising the electoral roll in Bihar before next state election being held there, here the EC is checking for dead voters name, people who have left the state of Bihar and migrated else where, whether some people have registered twice and have two voters ID. But here the same Rahul Gandhi is objecting to this revision of eligible voters list constituency wise.
2 When ever Congress or any other opposition party wins a state elections that time there is no problems in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), the Election Commission has handed elections very fairly and in a democratic manner, but as soon as BJP wins any election in the state or at the centre, then the allegations start that EVMs have been tempered, the EC is working under the orders of BJP etc etc.
In the end, The EC-Rahul Gandhi clash is just a political gimmick by Rahul Gandhi to stay in limelight, it has become his habit to fire allegation without any valid legal proof. Now today INDI alliance leaders are marching towards Parliament on this issue, that the EC is not acting fairly.
Waiting for your views on this blog.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
11th August 2025