Karnataka CEO Counters Rahul Gandhi's 'Vote Chori' Allegations Amidst Electoral Investigation

The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Karnataka has formally responded to allegations made by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi regarding 'vote chori' in the Aland constituency. The state election authority assured that all incorrect applications have already been dismissed, with an FIR filed in 2023 to investigate the matter further.

During a verification process of applications submitted online for the deletion of voter names in the 46-Aland legislative assembly constituency, only 24 out of 6,018 applications were found legitimate while 5,994 applications were deemed incorrect, Karnataka CEO explained. This comes in response to Gandhi's recent accusations, criticizing the Election Commission's alleged non-cooperation with a voter fraud probe led by Karnataka CID.

Gandhi, serving as the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, claimed the investigation has been stagnant for over two years due to a lack of response from the election body, referring to it as 'proof' of protection offered to 'vote chors' by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Karnataka CEO confirmed that an FIR was filed on February 21, 2023, following inquiry findings.

Following the election body's guidance, all relevant information has been handed over to the Superintendent of Police in Kalaburagi district, including objector details and technical data related to the applications, to aid in the investigation. Meetings have since been conducted between the CEO and investigative authorities to track the investigation's progress, a further official statement noted.

Gandhi also claimed that specific voter groups, including OBCs, Dalits, and marginalized communities likely supporting the Opposition, are targeted, though the Election Commission described these allegations as 'baseless and incorrect,' emphasizing no electoral deletions can occur online without due process. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)