The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Sunday strongly refuted the allegations of “vote chori” or electoral fraud made by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and vouched for the transparency of the electoral system in the country. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar explained that the accusations were based on a flawed understanding of voter data and maintained that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise being conducted in Bihar was neither rushed nor manipulated. Stressing the sanctity of the electoral rolls, Kumar announced that no complaints regarding the draft list would be accepted after September 1, urging political parties to submit objections before that date.
Without directly naming Rahul Gandhi, the Chief Election Commissioner dismissed the analysis presented by the Congress leader as misleading and challenged him to either provide evidence in the form of an affidavit within seven days or apologise to the people of India. Responding to the press conference Gandhi had held earlier this month, where he alleged collusion between the BJP and the Election Commission to manipulate electoral rolls, Kumar categorically rejected the claims, stating that the ECI had always stood firmly with voters of every religion, caste, and section of society.
The Election Commission addressed each of the points raised by Rahul Gandhi, beginning with the issue of “house number zero” in the voter list. Kumar explained that in many rural and urban areas across India, especially in panchayat regions, thousands of houses do not have official numbers. In order to ensure no voter is excluded, the poll body assigns a notional number, often zero, to such addresses. He emphasised that voting eligibility is based on nationality, proximity to the polling booth, and age above 18, not necessarily on the presence of a house number. This practice, he said, is designed to include every eligible voter, even those living in unauthorised colonies, under flyovers, or in informal settlements.
On the allegation of duplicate names in electoral rolls, the Commission clarified that while some voters may appear in more than one booth due to address changes or clerical errors, that does not translate into multiple votes being cast. Casting votes in more than one location is a criminal offence, and the law provides strict punishment for such violations. Kumar underlined that voter rolls and the act of voting are two separate processes governed by different laws and authorities. He further pointed out that when the Commission had asked for proof of fraudulent double voting, none was provided.
The Commission also addressed Rahul Gandhi’s claim that 22 lakh voters had died within just six months in Bihar. Kumar explained that this figure represented unreported deaths accumulated over the last two decades since the last Special Intensive Revision was conducted in 2003. Unlike summary revisions, which focus on newly eligible voters and reported deaths, the SIR involves a door-to-door verification process, which naturally brings to light long-pending corrections. He stressed that the exercise was a demonstration of the ECI’s commitment to maintaining the accuracy and integrity of voter rolls across the country, which currently include nearly a billion names.
On the charge that the SIR in Bihar was being carried out hastily, Kumar clarified that the timeline was consistent with past practices. He pointed out that the previous SIR in Bihar, held in 2003, also took place between July 14 and August 14, in the middle of the monsoon season. The current exercise began on June 24 and was completed by July 20, giving sufficient time for thorough verification. Dismissing opposition claims of rushed procedures, Kumar stressed that updating voter lists ahead of elections is a legal mandate under the Representation of the People Act, and not something that can be delayed until after polls.
Kumar appealed to all political parties, including national and state-level outfits, to raise objections or submit corrections through their booth-level agents before September 1. He reiterated that after this deadline, no changes could be made to the draft electoral rolls, as the list would then serve as the basis for actual voting. He assured voters that the act of voting is a distinct process, where every citizen can press the button only once, making large-scale fraud practically impossible. In closing, he said that those who make accusations without evidence must be prepared to hear the truth, underscoring that the Commission stands resolute in safeguarding India’s democratic values and ensuring fair elections for all.
