The Election Commission of India (ECI) has strongly rebuked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s recent allegations of electoral malpractice, calling his “vote chori” remarks an affront to democratic institutions and the Constitution. In a firm response, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar gave Gandhi a seven-day deadline to either produce evidence under oath or issue a public apology.

“If we don’t receive an affidavit within seven days, it means these allegations are baseless,” said Kumar during a press conference held in the capital. “Affidavit has to be given or (he) must apologise to the nation. There is no third option,” he declared.

The controversy stems from Gandhi’s accusations of voter fraud, including claims of double voting, particularly in the Mahadevapura Assembly segment in Karnataka. Launching the ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ in Bihar, Gandhi alleged that Assembly and Lok Sabha elections across the country were being manipulated and warned against what he called a “conspiracy” to alter the voter list in Bihar through the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.

“We will not let them steal the election in Bihar. People of Bihar will not let them steal elections. Poor only have the power of vote and will not let them steal polls,” Gandhi said during the Yatra’s kickoff event in Sasaram.

Responding to these accusations, the CEC reiterated the transparency of the electoral process and defended the integrity of the SIR. “All voters, political parties and booth-level officers are working transparently on the ground,” Kumar noted. “It is a matter of concern that the voice of these representatives of political parties is either not reaching their parties’ leadership, or ground realities are being ignored in an attempt to spread misinformation.”

He emphasised that the poll body makes no distinction between the ruling party and the Opposition. “Every party is the same for us,” he said. “The Election Commission will not step back from its constitutional responsibility.”

Flanked by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, Kumar criticised the use of the term “vote chori” as “an insult to the Constitution,” adding that “unsuccessful efforts to mislead the voters” would not be tolerated. “At a time when shots are being fired at the voters by perching a gun on the EC’s shoulder, we want to make it clear that the EC has fearlessly stood by voters from across sections and religions, and will continue to stand by them like a rock,” he asserted.

Addressing the matter of double voting, Kumar stated that while some concerns were raised, no substantial evidence had been submitted. “Some allegations of double voting were made, but when we asked for proof, we got nothing,” he said. “Such allegations scare neither the Election Commission nor any voter.”

CEC Rejects Gandhi’s Data Claim

He also dismissed Gandhi’s counterclaim that the data cited was sourced from the ECI itself, saying legal procedure required anyone not registered in the affected constituency to submit a sworn declaration. “If you are not a voter of that constituency, then you have only one option in the law… You will have to give an oath to the electoral registration officer, and that oath will have to be administered in front of the person against whom you have complained,” Kumar explained, referencing the Registration of Electors Rules.

Gandhi, however, has questioned the ECI’s impartiality, alleging that the poll body was targeting him selectively. “When I held a press conference on vote theft, the Election Commission asked me for an affidavit. But when BJP leaders held a press conference a few days ago, no affidavit was demanded from them,” he said. “Why am I being asked for an affidavit?”

He further stated that as a Member of Parliament, he had already taken an oath under the Constitution, and the ECI could verify the data he used from its own records.

Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Pawan Khera accused the CEC of evading key questions raised by the Opposition. He said the Commission’s failure to respond to concerns reflected a broader attempt to suppress dissent and delegitimise criticism of the electoral process.

CEC Says SIR Launched on Parties’ Request

The ECI maintained that the Special Intensive Revision was initiated following requests from political parties to update and correct voter data. “There is a month-long window to make objections to the draft voter list,” Kumar said, urging political stakeholders to raise legitimate concerns through proper channels. “The doors of the Election Commission are always open for everyone equally,” he added.

With the 1,300-km ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ set to cover 20 districts across poll-bound Bihar, the face-off between the Congress and the Election Commission is expected to escalate, putting the credibility of electoral oversight under intense national scrutiny.