Election Commission Under Fire: Tensions Mount Over Vote Theft Allegations

Trinamool Congress Member of Parliament, Mahua Moitra, on Monday criticized the Election Commission of India for allegedly attacking the opposition. She denounced the 'shameful display of puppetry' observed in its media briefings. At a press conference, Moitra stated, 'The Election Commission should refrain from targeting the opposition. I implore the Chief Election Commissioner to reconsider loyalty to political superiors.'

On Sunday, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar countered claims of 'vote theft' made by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Kumar demanded either a signed affidavit from Gandhi as evidence or an apology to the nation, stating, 'There is no alternative. If no affidavit is submitted within seven days, these allegations stand baseless.'

Addressing the press on August 7, Rahul Gandhi presented Congress's research on voting discrepancies in Karnataka's Mahadevapura Assembly, alleging the theft of 1,00,250 votes through duplications and suspicious registrations. He highlighted irregularities such as 80 voters registered at one address. Gandhi accused the Election Commission of destroying evidence by deleting CCTV footage post-election, preserved only for 45 days without legal challenge.

Protests led by the Indian National Development Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) continue in Parliament against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar. Despite clarifications from the Election Commission, MPs like Mallikarjun Kharge and Akhilesh Yadav demand cessation of what they call 'Silent Invisible Rigging' of votes.

(With inputs from agencies.)