Election Commission Responds to Rahul Gandhi's Allegations of Vote Manipulation

Clarification from the Election Commission

New Delhi: Officials from the Election Commission have dismissed Rahul Gandhi's allegations regarding vote manipulation, asserting that no appeals were lodged against the electoral rolls in Haryana, and no instances of multiple voting were reported during the elections.

This response comes after Gandhi claimed that 2.5 million entries in the electoral rolls were fraudulent and that the Haryana Assembly elections held last year were compromised.

Election officials questioned why Congress's booth agents did not report any voters who allegedly cast multiple votes during the October 2024 elections.

They emphasized that no objections or claims were raised by the Indian National Congress's Booth-Level Agents (BLAs) during the revision process to prevent duplicate entries.

BLAs are designated by political parties to identify any discrepancies in the electoral rolls.

The Commission highlighted that there were no appeals against the electoral rolls, with only 22 election petitions currently pending in the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Out of 23 election petitions filed, one was withdrawn.

Gandhi's concerns specifically relate to the Rai and Hodal assembly seats in Haryana.

Given that election petitions have been submitted for both constituencies among the 23 filed for the Haryana assembly elections, officials suggested that Gandhi should present his evidence there.

An election petition must be filed within 45 days following the announcement of results in the respective state's high court.

Officials questioned the role of Congress polling agents at the polling stations, stating they are responsible for raising objections if they suspect that an elector has already voted or if there are doubts about the voter's identity.

In light of the Election Commission's initiatives to enhance the accuracy of voter lists nationwide, officials inquired whether Gandhi supports the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, which aims to eliminate duplicate, deceased, and relocated voters while verifying citizenship.

They also asked if he opposes the SIR initiative.

The officials reiterated their concerns about the lack of claims and objections raised by INC's BLAs during the revision process in both Bihar and Haryana.

In the 2024 Haryana Assembly elections, the BJP secured 48 seats, while Congress, which many exit polls predicted would win, ended up with 37 seats. The INLD managed to win two seats, and independent candidates claimed three in the 90-member Assembly.

Regarding the issue of 'zero house numbers,' EC officials clarified that 'House Number Zero' is designated for residences where local panchayats and municipalities have not assigned house numbers.

This designation has been applied by booth-level officers in cases where municipalities or panchayats have not provided house numbers.