Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Rahul Gandhi Escalates Vote Theft Claims, Demands CEC Resignation
Rahul Gandhi says India’s voting system has been damaged.
He accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of being responsible.
He wants Kumar to resign immediately.
Gandhi also asked Kumar to become an approver and share information with investigators.
He said the 2024 national election and other elections were rigged.
His claims followed reports that two election commissioners questioned decisions about changing voter lists.
The Election Commission said disagreements can happen inside an institution before a final decision.
Gandhi says protecting votes is necessary to protect India’s Constitution and democracy.
Rahul Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of destroying India’s vote, calling them “deshdrohis” (traitors).
He demanded Kumar’s immediate resignation and urged him to become an approver, describing that as an act of nationalism.
Gandhi alleged that the 2024 Lok Sabha election, earlier national elections and assembly elections were rigged, and said Modi and Shah would be investigated.
His claims followed reports that election commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi formally objected at least 14 times to decisions linked to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
The Election Commission of India defended its process, saying differing views within an institution are normal during deliberations before final decisions.
- Who
- Congress leader and Lok Sabha Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi accused Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and Gyanesh Kumar; he also referred to election commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.
- What
- Gandhi alleged that India’s votes and democratic institutions had been destroyed, demanded Kumar’s resignation, urged him to become an approver and claimed elections were rigged.
- When
- The press conference took place on September 24, identified in the reports as a Thursday.
- Where
- Gandhi spoke at a press conference at Indira Bhawan in New Delhi.
- Why
- His allegations followed reporting that Sandhu and Joshi had repeatedly objected to decisions related to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Rahul Gandhi and Congress
Election Commission of India
Integrity of electoral-roll revisions
Rahul Gandhi and Congress
Gandhi and Congress said the reported objections by two election commissioners strengthened their claim that the electoral process had been compromised and that Kumar should resign.
Election Commission of India
The Election Commission said internal differences and observations are a normal part of deliberation before an institutional decision is finalized.
Election-rigging allegations
Rahul Gandhi and Congress
Gandhi alleged that the 2024 Lok Sabha election, previous elections and assembly elections were rigged, saying evidence supported his claims.
Election Commission of India
The reports describe the Election Commission’s process-based response but do not provide a detailed rebuttal to Gandhi’s broader allegations about election results.
Constitutional impact
Rahul Gandhi and Congress
Gandhi said that destroying the vote would weaken the Constitution, laws and institutions, and vowed that those responsible would face consequences.
Election Commission of India
The Election Commission’s stated response focused on institutional deliberation and did not separately address Gandhi’s wider claims about constitutional damage.
- Main allegation
- Gandhi said India’s vote had been destroyed, undermining the Constitution, laws and democratic institutions.
- Demand
- He called for the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
- Approver appeal
- Gandhi urged Kumar to become an approver and disclose information, describing that as an act of nationalism.
- People accused
- Gandhi named Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and Gyanesh Kumar, and said Modi and Shah were at the top of an alleged conspiracy.
- Reported objections
- Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi reportedly objected on record at least 14 times over 10 months, including four times on one day.
- Election-roll process
- The reported objections concerned decisions and orders linked to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
- Election Commission response
- The Election Commission of India said differing views and observations are a normal part of institutional deliberation before final decisions.
Sources
PM, Shah, CEC ‘deshdrohis’; Gyanesh Kumar should resign and turn ‘approver’: Rahul
Modi, Shah ‘at top’ of vote conspiracy, Rahul vows probe. Advises CEC Gyanesh Kumar to turn approver
PM, Shah, CEC ‘deshdrohis’; Gyanesh Kumar should resign immediately: Rahul
Rahul Calls PM, Shah, CEC ‘Deshdrohis’; Demands Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation
Modi, Shah, CEC destroyed India's vote: Rahul
