ECI gives Rahul Gandhi 7 Days to Submit Voting Fraud Affidavit

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has given Congress leader Rahul Gandhi a sharp ultimatum: within seven days, he must submit a sworn affidavit substantiating his "vote chori" (vote theft) allegations, or issue a public apology to the nation. The Commission declared that without such proof, the claims would be considered “baseless.”

At a press conference in New Delhi, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar dismissed Gandhi’s allegations. Specifically, his claim of double voting and manipulation during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls as unconstitutional and misleading. He stated emphatically, “An affidavit will have to be given or an apology will have to be made to the country. There is no third option.”

The CEC also accused Gandhi of manipulating official ECI data to mount his accusations. Asserting that his narrative misrepresented the Commission's figures was a tactic he deemed misleading to the public. Furthermore, the poll body reaffirmed its impartiality amid the ongoing political dispute, declaring commitment to transparency, especially during the SIR process in Bihar.

Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi has fired back, questioning the ECI’s selective demand for affidavits, "Why is he only being asked to back his allegations, while BJP leaders face no such scrutiny?" he demanded. His broader claim implicated the EC in shielding those in power. Suggesting a law passed in 2023 provided undue protection to election officials. He cited large-scale electoral roll irregularities. Such as deletion of 65 lakh votes in Bihar and the addition of over one crore voters in Maharashtra

If Rahul Gandhi fails to produce an affidavit or apologize by the deadline, the ECI will consider his allegations invalid, while the Opposition gears up for further action, potentially escalating the conflict in Parliament and beyond.