India is witnessing a major political controversy over allegations of vote theft related to the 2024 general elections. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party have accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Election Commission of India (ECI) of large-scale manipulation of voter rolls and enabling fraudulent voting practices, sparking widespread debate and protests.
Rahul Gandhi has raised concerns about widespread electoral irregularities, citing detailed data which shows numerous instances of duplicate voter registrations, fake voter entries, mass registrations at single addresses, and deletion of CCTV footage from polling stations. These irregularities were highlighted most notably in Karnataka’s Mahadevapura segment of Bangalore Central, where Gandhi claims the BJP benefited from more than 100,000 fake voters, contributing to their victory by a margin of over 30,000 votes. Gandhi also accused the Election Commission of failing to uphold the principle of “one person, one vote,” arguing that his party lost at least 48 parliamentary seats due to these discrepancies.
The Congress party has launched a campaign called “Vote Chori” (vote theft), demanding transparency from the Election Commission, including the publication of digital voter rolls to enable auditing by political parties and the public. They have also petitioned for thorough audits of electoral rolls, particularly in Karnataka and Bihar, where the voter list revision removed millions of names deemed duplicates, deceased, or migrated, but accusations have arisen that this process may have unfairly excluded legitimate voters, especially from opposition-leaning communities.
The Election Commission has firmly denied any wrongdoing and issued notices to Rahul Gandhi seeking documentary evidence to substantiate his allegations. The Commission emphasized that Gandhi must provide a formal declaration or apology for making unsubstantiated claims. Several state electoral officers have followed suit, requesting detailed evidence to proceed with inquiries into the claims.
Other opposition parties, including the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), have also accused the BJP of electoral fraud and vote theft in different regions, underscoring the issue as a nationwide challenge. AAP leaders highlighted vote theft during recent Delhi elections, criticizing both the BJP and Congress for their handling of electoral fairness.
In response to the escalating political crisis, the Indian Parliament experienced disruptions as opposition members demanded a formal debate on the credibility of the election process. Protest marches toward the Election Commission premises in New Delhi have been staged by opposition lawmakers, some facing police detention.
While the BJP government secured a third term under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the margin was narrower than projected, intensifying scrutiny of the electoral machinery. The Election Commission remains under pressure to maintain public trust amid these serious allegations.
The controversy over vote theft allegations reflects deep political divisions in India and poses significant challenges to the credibility and transparency of the country’s democratic processes. Legal and administrative investigations are ongoing as the Commission seeks to address claims while maintaining the integrity of India’s electoral system.
