The Election Commission of India (ECI) has asked Congress MP Rahul Gandhi to either sign a formal declaration backing his recent “vote theft” allegations in Karnataka and Maharashtra or issue a public apology, sources said on Friday.
According to ECI sources, Gandhi must endorse the affidavits prepared by the Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) of Maharashtra and Karnataka if he stands by his claims. “If Rahul Gandhi believes in his analysis and allegations against the ECI, he should have no issue signing the declaration,” the source stated, adding that refusal to sign would indicate a lack of confidence in his own claims.
The poll body stressed that if Gandhi does not sign, he should apologise to the nation for making what it termed “absurd allegations.”
The directive follows Gandhi’s claim of 1,00,250 “fake votes” in Karnataka’s Mahadevapura Assembly segment, allegedly favouring the BJP. In response, the Karnataka CEO issued a strongly worded letter asking Gandhi to sign an affidavit under Rule 20(3)(b) of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, and provide names of such electors so corrective measures could be taken.
Similarly, the Maharashtra CEO, addressing Gandhi’s accusations of voter fraud in the 2024 Assembly elections, requested a sworn affidavit along with specific evidence of ineligible voters included or eligible voters excluded.
Both CEOs reiterated that the electoral rolls were compiled transparently, with draft and final versions shared with the Congress in August and September 2024 — during which the party did not file any objections.
The ECI’s stance has now placed Gandhi in a position where he must either formally validate his allegations or retract them with an apology.
