New Delhi | November 6, 2025 — The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday firmly rejected Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s explosive claims of “vote chori” (vote theft) in Haryana, calling them “factually incorrect and misleading.”
In a late-night press briefing, senior EC officials unveiled audit records and cross-verification data proving that all voter entries flagged by the Congress were linked to valid Aadhaar and address proofs — quashing allegations of rigged or duplicated voter rolls in key constituencies.
“There is no evidence of tampering or manipulation in the Haryana electoral database,” said Deputy Election Commissioner R.K. Gupta, adding that the ECI’s digital verification tools had “cross-checked over 98% of the voter list entries” cited in Congress’s complaint.
Congress Cries Foul — EC Counters with Facts
Rahul Gandhi had earlier ignited controversy by alleging that “thousands of fake voters” were added in BJP-ruled Haryana ahead of the assembly elections, calling it a “systematic attempt to hijack democracy.”
His remarks, made during a rally in Rohtak, quickly went viral on social media, prompting the EC to issue a rare midnight clarification.
“The Congress’s submission was based on incomplete data. All alleged irregularities were verified and found authentic,” the Commission’s statement read.
Officials further revealed that the so-called “duplicate” voters highlighted by the Congress were in fact migrants and defense personnel temporarily registered at new addresses — a practice permitted under the Representation of the People Act.
Fact-Checking the ‘Vote Theft’ Claim
The ECI’s internal review, shared with both national parties, reportedly used geo-tagged address validation, biometric ID mapping, and AI-based voter roll analysis introduced in 2024.
Out of 7,213 voter entries questioned by the Congress, only 42 were flagged for manual re-verification, with no link to organized manipulation or fake identity.
“For all practical purposes, this is a clean voter roll,” said an EC data officer familiar with the audit. “Political rhetoric aside, the numbers don’t lie.”
BJP Hits Back, Congress Stands Cornered
The ruling BJP seized on the EC’s statement, accusing Rahul Gandhi of “undermining constitutional institutions for political mileage.”
“This is another baseless drama to distract voters,” said Union Home Minister Amit Shah at a campaign stop in Bettiah. “The people of Haryana can see through the Congress’s desperation.”
Meanwhile, senior Congress figures continued to defend their leader, calling for an “independent audit” despite the EC’s published data.
“Our intent was transparency, not confrontation,” clarified Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary, though insiders admit the row may have backfired in key urban constituencies.
Political Impact: Will the Allegation Hurt Congress?
Analysts say the “vote chori” controversy may have dented Congress’s credibility at a crucial juncture in the Haryana campaign. With high voter turnout and a strong local BJP-JJP base, the narrative of electoral rigging appears to have lost steam.
“This could shift the conversation from anti-incumbency to integrity — and that favors the BJP,” noted political strategist Yashwant Deshmukh.
EC Reinforces Digital Vigilance
In a significant move, the ECI also announced it would expand its AI-driven voter integrity system nationwide before the 2026 general elections, integrating blockchain tools to prevent duplication and enhance transparency.
“Our message is simple — India’s elections are not for sale,” the ECI concluded in its final statement.
Conclusion
With the Election Commission’s categorical denial backed by data, Rahul Gandhi’s “vote chori” charge appears to have lost traction. As Haryana heads deeper into polling, the political spotlight shifts from allegation to accountability — with the Congress now facing questions over its own fact-checking credibility.
