Rahul Gandhi Criticizes EC Over Affidavit Request, Cites Parliamentary Oath

Quick Summary

• Event: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi led a protest rally called ‘Vote Adhikar Rally’ in Bengaluru, Karnataka, on August 8, 2025.
• Allegations: Gandhi accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the BJP of collusion to manipulate voter lists and elections.
• Specific Claims:

– Alleged vote fraud in Mahadevapura Assembly seat under Bangalore Central Lok Sabha constituency.
– Claimed irregularities in Maharashtra’s 2024 Assembly election where one crore new voters participated after not voting in the lok Sabha polls earlier that year. These new votes predominantly went to BJP.
– Cited discrepancies between Congress survey predictions and actual results in Karnataka during Lok Sabha polls; requested ECI for soft copy voter data but faced rejection.

• Actions Demanded: Asked the Congress-run Karnataka goverment to investigate alleged electoral manipulations locally and take action against involved officials.
• Critique of ECI:

– Accused ECI’s websites of being shut down when questioned about voter data across states like Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar.
– Criticized legal provisions enabling destruction of video evidence after 45 days.

Indian Opinion Analysis

Rahul Gandhi’s allegations raise significant concerns about India’s electoral integrity-an issue foundational to democracy. At its core are claims regarding manipulation via inflated or altered voter lists favoring political parties. If substantiated through inquiry,such claims could lead to substantive reforms ensuring greater transparency from institutions like the Election Commission.

The demand for investigations by state-level governments aligns with holding localized accountability but must follow thorough legal scrutiny. As electronic voting systems evolve globally,persistent mistrust toward process safeguards may trigger both domestic reforms and international comparisons on fair election practices. Though, accusations need evidentiary support beyond rhetoric for broader national acceptance or institutional change.

Ultimately, addressing public doubts through independent inquiries could reinforce credibility if India wishes to maintain its global image as a functional democracy navigating complex socio-political challenges.

For more details: Read More