Congress Intensifies Campaign Against Alleged Vote Theft: What You Need to Know
Congress Launches Campaign Against Vote Theft
New Delhi: On August 13, 2025, the Congress party escalated its efforts against alleged 'vote theft' by unveiling a new video that illustrates the casting of fraudulent votes. Party leader Mallikarjun Kharge urged citizens to speak out and protect constitutional institutions from the influence of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Rahul Gandhi, the former president of Congress, also shared the one-minute video, emphasizing that, 'The theft of your vote is a theft of your rights and identity.' In his message on X, Kharge encouraged voters to safeguard their voting rights and demand accountability, stating, 'Do not allow your voting rights to be taken away.'
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress's general secretary, echoed these sentiments on X, asserting, 'The theft of your vote is a theft of your rights and identity. Protect your voting rights and raise your voice against vote theft.'
The video portrays a family entering a polling station, only to be informed by two individuals that their votes have already been cast. It concludes with these individuals casting fake votes, giving a thumbs-up to an election officer who has a sign reading 'election theft commission' on his desk.
On August 12, 2025, Congress labeled 'vote theft' as a critical issue, announcing a strategy to communicate its allegations to the public through various initiatives, including 'Loktantra bachao mashaal' marches scheduled for August 14.
The opposition party claimed that as more evidence of 'vote theft' emerged, it appeared to be more than just a simple theft, but rather a 'robbery.' This assertion followed a meeting led by Kharge with party general secretaries and heads of various organizations.
Attendees included prominent figures such as Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, along with general secretaries and other party leaders. After the meeting, Kanhaiya Kumar, Congress leader and AICC in-charge of the National Students' Union of India (NSUI), stated that a significant issue of 'vote theft' had surfaced. He noted that Rahul Gandhi had presented evidence demonstrating how democracy is being undermined.
Kumar outlined that Congress plans to engage the public through three major programs. On August 14, coinciding with Independence Day, a 'Loktantra bachao mashaal march' will take place at district headquarters. From August 22 to September 7, the party will conduct 'vote thieves, relinquish power' rallies across state capitals.
Additionally, from September 15 to October 15, a signature campaign will be launched to protect voting rights and encourage public participation. Kumar emphasized that the entire INDIA bloc stands united on this issue.
Congress has also introduced a web portal for citizens to register complaints and demand accountability from the election commission regarding what they term 'vote theft,' while advocating for digital voter rolls.
Gandhi urged the public to support this initiative by registering on votechori.in/ecdemand, where individuals can report instances of 'vote theft' and demand accountability from the Election Commission.
The portal features a video from Gandhi reiterating his serious allegations of a 'massive criminal fraud' in elections, claiming collusion between the BJP and the Election Commission. He referenced an analysis from a Karnataka constituency to substantiate his claims, labeling it a 'crime against the Constitution.'
On August 11, 2025, opposition MPs, including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, staged a protest march from Parliament to the Election Commission office against the revision of electoral rolls in Bihar and alleged 'vote theft.' They were halted midway by police and briefly detained amid dramatic scenes.