1 hr ago
Rahul Gandhi Links Vote Chori To Lawmaking Legitimacy
Rahul Gandhi says stolen or wrongly counted votes can affect more than elections.
He argues that laws made by representatives elected through such votes could also be questioned.
He accused the Election Commission of not protecting voters properly.
He asked Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
His comments came during a dispute over changing and checking voter lists.
A report said two election commissioners had objected to some decisions several times.
The Election Commission said such disagreements are a normal part of its work.
It also said its decisions during the past year were unanimous.
Gandhi further alleged that some recent elections were manipulated, but those claims have not been proven as facts.
Rahul Gandhi alleged that manipulated votes undermine the legitimacy of laws and institutional changes made by Parliament.
He demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accusing the Election Commission of failing to protect voters’ rights.
His remarks came amid controversy over the nationwide Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
A report said Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi recorded objections at least 14 times over 10 months.
The Election Commission said differing views are normal and maintained that its decisions over the past year were unanimous.
- Who
- Rahul Gandhi, the Election Commission, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, and the Narendra Modi-led government are central to the controversy.
- What
- Rahul Gandhi alleged electoral irregularities, linked “vote chori” to “kanoon chori,” and demanded Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
- Where
- At a press conference at Congress headquarters in New Delhi.
- When
- The remarks were made on Thursday amid renewed controversy over the Election Commission’s functioning and the 2024 Assembly elections.
- Why
- Gandhi said alleged failures to protect voters and electoral integrity could undermine Parliament’s laws, institutions, and the constitutional system.
Rahul Gandhi and Opposition
Election Commission
Electoral integrity
Rahul Gandhi and Opposition
Gandhi alleges that elections, including 2024 Assembly polls, were manipulated and that the Commission failed to safeguard voters’ rights.
Election Commission
The Election Commission has rejected the implication of institutional wrongdoing and said its decisions were taken unanimously.
Internal disagreements
Rahul Gandhi and Opposition
The reported objections by Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi are cited amid concerns over voter registration, deletions, and electoral-roll data.
Election Commission
The Commission says differing views and written observations are a normal part of institutional deliberations.
Leadership accountability
Rahul Gandhi and Opposition
Gandhi and opposition parties are seeking action against Gyanesh Kumar, including his resignation or removal.
Election Commission
The Commission has defended its functioning; the allegations against it and the government have not been established as facts.
Key facts
- Main allegation
- Rahul Gandhi said questionable votes could also call into question laws and institutional changes made by elected lawmakers.
- Resignation demand
- Gandhi called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
- Electoral-roll review
- The controversy includes the nationwide Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
- Reported objections
- Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi reportedly objected to decisions at least 14 times over 10 months.
- Election Commission response
- The Commission said differing views and written observations are normal institutional deliberations.
- Commission’s position
- The Election Commission maintained that its decisions over the past year were unanimous.
- Political action
- Opposition parties have called for action against Gyanesh Kumar, while the INDIA bloc is reportedly preparing a removal motion.
Quotes
Rahul Gandhi
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress leader
“From vote chori comes kanoon chori. Today the vote is gone, the law-making system is gone. If the vote has been stolen, then any law, any institutional change that the lawmakers who have been voted to Parliament through vote chori have made is also illegal”
thehansindia.com









