Rahul Gandhi Accuses Election Commission of Shielding ‘Vote Thieves’ in Explosive Press Conference

New Delhi, September 18, 2025 — Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging that the constitutional body has failed to act on evidence of mass voter deletions in Karnataka and other states.

Addressing the media in Delhi, Gandhi claimed that the Karnataka CID has written 18 letters over the past 18 months to the Election Commission, seeking crucial technical data — including IP addresses, OTP trails, and login details — linked to voter deletion applications. He alleged that despite repeated requests, the EC has not provided the information.

“For 18 months, Karnataka CID wrote 18 letters on voter deletions. Still, no answers. Why is the truth being hidden? Who is stealing your vote?” Gandhi asked during the press briefing.

Aland Constituency Case in Focus

Rahul Gandhi highlighted the case of the Aland constituency in Karnataka, where he alleged that more than 6,000 voters’ names were deleted in 2022–23 through suspicious online applications. According to him, many deletion requests originated from fake logins or phone numbers outside the state.

“These are not clerical mistakes, but a systematic attempt to erase Congress supporters, minorities, Dalits, and OBC voters from the rolls,” Gandhi charged.

EC Rejects Allegations

The Election Commission swiftly rejected Gandhi’s claims, calling them “incorrect and baseless.” In its response, the EC clarified that no voter can be deleted online by the public without due verification. It admitted there were “unsuccessful attempts” to tamper with the rolls in Aland but insisted that proper checks were followed and an FIR was filed by the Commission itself.

Congress Mounts Pressure

Backing Gandhi’s charges, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah demanded that the Election Commission release all technical details sought by the CID within a week. The Congress has also signaled that it will continue raising the issue both inside and outside Parliament.

Gandhi described today’s revelations as just the beginning, warning of a “hydrogen bomb” of further evidence that, he claims, will expose how voter lists are being manipulated across several states.

What Lies Ahead

With the Election Commission standing firm and Gandhi promising more disclosures, the controversy is expected to intensify in the days ahead. The dispute has raised pressing questions about electoral integrity, transparency, and the protection of citizens’ voting rights.

As the political battle escalates, the coming weeks may prove crucial in determining whether the claims translate into concrete action — or remain a bitter war of words between the Opposition and the country’s top poll body.