Karnataka Election Commission rebuts Rahul Gandhi’s claims of voter fraud in Mahadevapura

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has sparked a political storm by alleging massive voter fraud in Bengaluru Central during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, claiming that over 1,00,250 votes in the Mahadevapura Assembly segment were fraudulent. His allegations are based on a Congress-led investigation that found numerous irregularities, including fake voters, duplicate entries, and misuse of voter registration forms.

Bengaluru: Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi has stirred a political storm by alleging massive voter fraud in the Mahadevapura Assembly segment of Bengaluru Central during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He claimed that over 1,00,250 out of the 6.5 lakh votes cast in the segment were fraudulent, including bogus voters, fake addresses, duplicate entries, and misuse of voter registration forms.

Gandhi’s allegations stemmed from a Congress-led investigation, which reportedly found 11,965 fake voters, 40,009 voters with false addresses, 10,452 cases of multiple voters registered at the same address, 4,132 votes without photographs, and 33,692 cases involving misuse of Form 6. He further cited instances of individuals like Gurukirat Singh Dang being registered in four booths and Aditya Shri allegedly possessing voting rights in Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh.

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However, the Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), V. Anbukumar, swiftly issued a strong rebuttal. In a letter addressed to Rahul Gandhi, Anbukumar refuted the allegations and defended the transparency of the electoral process. He pointed out that the voter rolls were prepared and shared with all political parties well in advance. The draft electoral rolls were published in November 2024, followed by the final list in January 2025. Despite this, Congress leaders did not submit any objections during or after the publication process.

Letter to Shri Rahul Gandhi, Hon’ble Member of Parliament and Hon’ble Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha
Expecting the signed declaration and oath@ECISVEEP pic.twitter.com/7CLG100V2r

— Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka (@ceo_karnataka) August 7, 2025

The CEO clarified that Congress had full access to the rolls but did not raise any formal objections during the second phase, as per established procedures. He emphasized that under Rule 20(3)(b) of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, any legitimate grievances regarding electoral rolls must be addressed through legal recourse in the High Court, something Congress has so far not done.

By highlighting these procedural lapses, Anbukumar underscored that Rahul Gandhi’s press conference allegations lacked procedural backing. He reiterated that the Election Commission maintains high standards of transparency and encourages all political stakeholders to engage responsibly with the electoral process.

As the controversy continues to evolve, the Election Commission’s sharp response has shifted the focus back onto the procedural diligence expected from political parties. With potential legal and political ramifications looming, it remains to be seen whether the Congress party will take its allegations to court or continue its public campaign on the issue.

 

हमने कर्नाटक की एक विधानसभा महादेवापुरा क्षेत्र की जांच की और पाया कि यहां 1,00,250 वोटों की चोरी की गई। पांच तरीकों से ये फर्जी वोट लिस्ट में जोड़े गए।

▪️11,965 डुप्लीकेट वोटर बनाए गए
▪️40,009 फर्जी पतों का इस्तेमाल हुआ
▪️10,452 वोटर बड़ी संख्या में एक ही पते पर रजिस्टर किए… pic.twitter.com/GZPA04cDd9

— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) August 7, 2025