The Election Commission of India has challenged Rahul Gandhi to prove his voter fraud allegations in Karnataka’s Mahadevapura constituency by signing a statutory declaration under election rules. If he fails to do so, the ECI says he must apologise to the nation for making unsubstantiated claims.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has strongly countered allegations made by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi regarding large-scale voter list manipulation, urging him to either stand by his claims under oath or issue a public apology to the nation.
According to sources within the ECI, if Gandhi genuinely believes in the allegations and the data he presented during a press conference on Thursday, he should have no hesitation in signing a statutory declaration as per election rules. The Commission emphasised that this requirement is not merely procedural but a legal step to ensure accountability for such serious claims.
“If he does not sign the declaration, it would imply he lacks confidence in his own claims and conclusions, which the Commission considers absurd. In that case, he must apologise to the nation,” sources in the ECI asserted.
Rahul Gandhi’s Allegations
The Commission’s sharp response came just a day after Gandhi held a press conference where he alleged “systemic voter fraud” in the Mahadevapura Assembly segment of Karnataka’s Bangalore Central Lok Sabha constituency. Gandhi claimed that his party, Congress, had secured leads in all other Assembly segments under the Bangalore Central seat but suffered defeat due to fraudulent electoral practices in Mahadevapura.
According to him, the Congress party’s internal investigation had uncovered what he termed “irrefutable proof” of large-scale manipulation, including the inclusion of ineligible voters and the exclusion of eligible ones from the electoral rolls. He suggested that such practices undermined the integrity of the democratic process and called for urgent corrective measures.
Election Commission’s Legal Challenge
Following Gandhi’s statements, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Karnataka promptly addressed a formal letter to him. The letter requested that Gandhi submit a signed declaration under Rule 20(3)(b) of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, along with specific names of the electors allegedly involved in the irregularities.
The CEO’s letter also reminded Gandhi that any challenge to the outcome of an election must be pursued through an election petition before the High Court, as mandated by law.
“It is understood that during the press conference held today (August 7), you mentioned the inclusion of ineligible electors and exclusion of eligible electors in the Electoral Rolls,” the letter noted. “You are kindly requested to sign and submit the declaration/oath under Rule 20(3)(b) of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, along with the name(s) of such electors so that necessary proceedings can be initiated.”
Rule 20(3)(b) Explained
Under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, Rule 20(3)(b) requires any person objecting to entries in the electoral roll to submit a signed declaration affirming the accuracy of their claims. This statutory declaration must include specific details of the alleged irregularities and the identities of affected electors. Failure to comply means the allegations cannot be formally taken up for investigation.
Political Context and Reactions
Rahul Gandhi’s allegations have triggered a fresh wave of political debate, with the Congress standing by its claims and demanding swift investigation, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused Gandhi of attempting to undermine public trust in the election process.
Election analysts say this standoff could escalate into a legal battle if Gandhi proceeds with his declaration and submits the required list of electors. On the other hand, failure to do so could be leveraged politically by his opponents to portray the allegations as baseless.
The controversy also highlights the politically sensitive nature of voter list management in India. Past elections have witnessed disputes over alleged irregularities, but direct challenges involving high-profile leaders like Rahul Gandhi often attract nationwide attention.
What Happens Next
The ball is now in Gandhi’s court. If he signs the statutory declaration and provides evidence as required under Rule 20(3)(b), the Election Commission will be compelled to initiate formal proceedings to verify the claims. If irregularities are proven, it could lead to corrective action and possible legal consequences for those involved.
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However, if Gandhi refuses or fails to submit the declaration, the ECI’s position is clear — he should apologise to the nation for making unsubstantiated allegations.
With both sides standing firm, this issue is set to become a major political flashpoint, potentially influencing public perception ahead of upcoming elections.
