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In a rare move, the Election Commission of India (ECI) held a press conference on August 17, 2025, at the National Media Centre in New Delhi, addressing mounting criticisms over alleged irregularities in electoral processes. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar led the briefing, pushing back against claims of voter manipulation and bias, particularly those leveled by Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi. This event comes at a time when opposition parties, including the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), have intensified their scrutiny of the ECI, accusing it of undermining democratic integrity. Below, we explore the key highlights of the press conference, Rahul Gandhi’s accusations, and a comparative analysis of the two narratives.
Key Highlights from the ECI Press Conference
The press conference, announced via the ECI’s official X handle and live-streamed on YouTube, marked the commission’s first direct media interaction amid the controversy surrounding Bihar’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. CEC Kumar emphasized the transparency and non-discriminatory nature of the ECI’s operations, describing the SIR as a routine exercise to refine voter lists by removing inaccuracies such as deceased voters or duplicates.
- Response to Voter List Irregularities: Kumar addressed specific concerns like “House No. 0” entries, explaining that these are assigned to voters in informal settlements, slums, or areas without formal addressing systems, such as migrant workers or homeless individuals. He clarified that this is a standard practice to ensure inclusivity, not fraud. On duplicate names, he noted that India’s vast population naturally leads to similarities, but verification through Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and party consultations mitigates issues.
- Additions and Deletions in Voter Rolls: The CEC refuted claims of arbitrary deletions, stating that over 7.24 crore applications were processed in Bihar’s SIR, with decisions based on field verifications and inputs from political parties. He accused critics of manipulating ECI data to spread misinformation, such as misinterpreting provisional lists as final ones.
- Machine-Readable Voter Lists and Privacy: Kumar reiterated that machine-readable electoral rolls have been prohibited since 2019, following a Supreme Court judgment to protect voter privacy. He distinguished this from searchable lists available on the ECI website, which allow queries via EPIC numbers but prevent bulk data mining.
- CCTV in Counting Halls and Other Concerns: On demands for CCTV surveillance during vote counting, the CEC cited privacy issues, particularly for women voters, as a reason for non-installation. He also dismissed allegations of “vote theft” as baseless, urging parties to flag issues during the process rather than post-facto.
- Ultimatum to Rahul Gandhi: In a stern tone, Kumar demanded that Gandhi submit an affidavit within seven days substantiating his claims or issue a public apology. Failure to do so, he warned, would deem the allegations invalid and misleading. He accused the opposition of disrespecting the Constitution and creating a false narrative.
The ECI portrayed itself as an impartial guardian of democracy, insisting that all parties are treated equally and that the SIR aims to enhance electoral accuracy.
Rahul Gandhi’s Accusations: A Narrative of Systemic Bias
Rahul Gandhi has been vocal about what he terms “vote chori” (vote theft), alleging that the ECI, in collusion with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is manipulating voter rolls to favor the ruling party. His claims gained momentum in early August 2025, culminating in the launch of the ‘Vote Adhikar Yatra’ in Bihar alongside Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav.
- Core Allegations: Gandhi cited ECI data showing discrepancies, such as 1 crore voters allegedly added between the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and upcoming assembly polls, potentially inflating rolls in BJP strongholds. He highlighted cases like 46 voters registered at a single address (House No. 791 in Bengaluru), where the owner confirmed only three family members reside, suggesting fake entries. He also accused the ECI of ignoring Supreme Court directives on EVM-VVPAT verification and failing to install CCTVs in counting halls.
- Broader Claims of Bias: Gandhi argued that the ECI’s actions amount to “treason,” with deletions targeting opposition supporters, particularly minorities and marginalized groups, reminiscent of NRC-like processes. He refused the affidavit demand, stating that expecting justice from a “compromised” ECI is futile, and called for the dismissal and trial of commissioners for sedition.
- Evidence Presented: In press conferences, Gandhi used PowerPoint presentations with ECI-sourced data, including examples of duplicate names, zero-house-number anomalies, and unexplained voter surges in constituencies like Mahadevapura. He positioned this as part of a larger fight to restore electoral fairness.
Comparative Analysis: Clashing Narratives on Democracy’s Integrity
The ECI’s press conference and Gandhi’s accusations represent two opposing views on India’s electoral system, highlighting deep polarization.
- On Voter List Manipulation: Gandhi views additions/deletions as deliberate fraud to rig outcomes, backed by specific data points like inflated addresses. The ECI counters that these are procedural necessities, with parties like Congress involved in reviews, and accuses Gandhi of cherry-picking data without context. While the ECI provides explanations (e.g., House No. 0 for inclusivity), critics argue it sidesteps direct evidence, such as the Bengaluru case, labeling responses as evasive.
- Transparency and Accountability: Gandhi demands CCTVs, full VVPAT audits, and open data to prevent tampering, citing Supreme Court orders. The ECI defends its privacy-focused policies and invites parties to participate, but opposition figures like AAP’s Sanjay Singh and Congress’s Pradip Bhattacharya decry the lack of substantive answers, comparing it to “childish excuses.”
- Tone and Implications: The ECI’s ultimatum to Gandhi escalates the confrontation, framing accusations as “disrespect to the Constitution.” Gandhi’s refusal and yatra portray the ECI as a “lapdog” of the regime, fueling calls for impeachment. BJP leaders like Praveen Khandelwal hail the ECI’s clarity, accusing Congress of habitual falsehoods.
Experts like Yogendra Yadav called the press conference “shameful,” while others see it as a necessary rebuttal to misinformation. The divide underscores a crisis of trust: Gandhi’s side sees systemic capture, while the ECI views it as political opportunism.
Public and Political Reactions
Social media erupted with #VoteChori and #ECIChorHai trending, reflecting opposition outrage. BJP supporters countered with #RahulTheLiar, praising the ECI’s “slap” on Gandhi. Allies like Shiv Sena’s Milind Deora urged internal democracy in Congress, while SP’s Dharmendra Yadav backed Gandhi.
A Test for India’s Electoral Credibility
The ECI’s press conference aimed to restore confidence but has instead deepened divisions. While it offered procedural defenses, the opposition’s demand for empirical probes and reforms remains unmet. As Gandhi’s yatra continues and legal challenges loom, this saga tests the resilience of India’s democratic institutions. For a nation priding itself on free elections, resolving these allegations through independent scrutiny—perhaps via the Supreme Court—could be crucial to rebuilding faith.
