Karnataka Electoral Officer Refutes Rahul Gandhi’s Voter Fraud Claims

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The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Karnataka has strongly denied allegations of electoral fraud made by the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, regarding the recent elections in the state. The official asserted that electoral rolls were meticulously prepared with full transparency, and copies were provided to all recognized political parties, including the Indian National Congress (INC).

Rahul Gandhi had escalated his criticism against the Election Commission (EC), claiming “100 percent proof” of alleged vote manipulation in a Karnataka constituency. He specifically cited suspicious additions of new voters, particularly those aged 45 to 65, and the alleged deletion of legitimate voters. Gandhi stated that his party had uncovered these irregularities after examining just one constituency and expressed conviction that such “drama” was occurring across many more. He also issued a stern warning to the EC, asserting that they “are not going to get away with it.”

In response to these serious accusations, Karnataka CEO Anbukumar emphasized the robust and transparent process for electoral roll preparation. He highlighted that during the Special Summary Revision-2024, undertaken before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, draft and final electoral rolls for all 224 assembly constituencies were furnished to representatives of all registered and recognized political parties, including the INC. Anbukumar further pointed out that between the draft and final publication of rolls, approximately 9.17 lakh claims and objections were received and duly considered.

Crucially, the CEO’s statement noted that no appeals were filed by any political party against wrongful additions or deletions in the electoral rolls at that time, despite such legal remedies being available under Section 24 of the Representation of the People Act. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has also clarified that if an election petition has been filed, parties should await the verdict of the High Court, rather than making public allegations.

While Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar have publicly supported Rahul Gandhi’s claims, stating they are also investigating irregularities, the electoral officer’s detailed rebuttal directly challenges the basis of these accusations. The ECI reiterated that an authentic voter list, prepared through a transparent process, is the foundation for fair elections and a strong democracy. The exchange underscores ongoing political tensions surrounding electoral processes in India, with the Election Commission firmly defending its procedures against allegations of impropriety.