Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has stirred a political storm ahead of the 2025 Bihar elections, alleging widespread voter fraud orchestrated by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Speaking at a press conference, he questioned how one crore new voters were suddenly added to the rolls in Maharashtra within just five months—a figure, he claimed, surpasses additions made over the previous five years.
“This sudden spike made us suspicious,” Gandhi said. “We lost the assembly elections but won the Lok Sabha polls. Something doesn’t add up.” He claimed the Congress requested the updated voter list from the Election Commission (EC), but was denied access.
Also read: Rahul Gandhi slams Election Commission, alleges bias and electoral irregularities
Claims of Vote Rigging in Karnataka, Maharashtra
Expanding on his claims, Gandhi alleged serious irregularities in Karnataka’s Bengaluru Central constituency, stating that over 11,000 voters cast their ballots multiple times. “Many of these voters have house numbers listed as 0, or no address at all. In one booth alone, 46 voters share the same address,” he said.
He further alleged that in Maharashtra, over 40 lakh fake voters were added and CCTV footage from polling stations was deliberately erased. Additionally, he cited voter lists with multiple irregularities—voters with identical names voting in different places, missing father’s names, and miniature portrait photos to bypass identification.
Types of Alleged Manipulation
Rahul Gandhi outlined the following methods of alleged electoral manipulation:
• Inclusion of fake voters
• Voter lists with incorrect or incomplete addresses
• Multiple names listed at the same address
• Voter photos that do not match actual identities
• Misuse of new voter registration forms
Election Commission Denies Allegations
In response, the State Election Commission rejected the accusations, stating that the Congress had failed to lodge any official complaint after the final voter list was published in January 2025. They emphasized that any disputes over the list should be taken up under Section 20(3)(b) of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.
“If ineligible voters have been included, a formal complaint with names must be submitted,” the EC stated. “Appropriate action will follow.”
As the election season heats up, Rahul Gandhi’s claims have added fuel to an already tense political climate.
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