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The Election Commission rejected Rahul Gandhi’s allegations of voter list manipulation, calling them ‘incorrect and baseless’ and clarifying that due process is always followed.
File photos of CEC Gyanesh Kumar/Rahul Gandhi (PTI)
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday dismissed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s allegations of voter list manipulation, terming them “incorrect and baseless”, stressing that votes cannot be deleted online.
“Allegations made by Rahul Gandhi are incorrect and baseless,” the poll body said in a statement, clarifying that “no deletion of any vote can be done online by any member of the public, as misconceived by Rahul Gandhi.”
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“No deletion can take place without giving an opportunity of being heard to the affected person,” it added.
Addressing the controversy over alleged deletions in Karnataka’s Aland Assembly constituency, the ECI pointed out that it was the Commission itself that had flagged anomalies last year.
“In 2023, certain unsuccessful attempts were made for the deletion of electors in the Aland Assembly Constituency and a First Information Report (FIR) was filed by the authority of ECI itself to investigate the matter,” the statement noted.
The Commission also set the record straight on the constituency’s electoral history.
“As per records, Aland Assembly Constituency was won by Subhadh Guttedar (BJP) in 2018 and BR Patil in 2023,” it said.
Earlier, the Election Commission sources had termed as “unfortunate” Rahul Gandhi’s remarks directly targeting Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, stressing that he took charge only six months ago and cannot be held responsible for alleged irregularities reported last year.
“Targeting the CEC by name is unfortunate. He has taken over only six months ago. Blaming him directly for alleged anomalies last year is unfair,” the sources said.
They pointed out that in Karnataka’s Aland Assembly constituency, which Gandhi cited in his press conference, the Congress party had in fact won the seat. However, Election Commission officials themselves had flagged anomalies in the voter list there and registered an FIR, the sources added.
On Gandhi’s charge of a “call centre-type modus operandi” being used to delete votes, the sources clarified that voter names cannot be removed from the rolls merely by filling up an application.
“Field verification is mandatory in such cases,” they said.
About the Author
Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.
Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.
September 18, 2025, 12:17 IST
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