New Delhi: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Thursday levelled serious allegations against the Election Commission of India (ECI), claiming that the poll body had facilitated the mass deletion of voters ahead of the 2023 Karnataka Assembly election. Presenting a detailed PowerPoint report before the media in Delhi, Gandhi asserted that the Karnataka Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had written 18 letters in 18 months to the EC, seeking crucial digital information, but received no substantive response.

The Election Commission, however, swiftly issued a rebuttal, calling Gandhi’s claims “incorrect” and “baseless.”

EC dismisses allegations as “baseless”

In an official statement, the EC clarified that no voter deletion can occur online by the public or without due process. “No deletion of any vote can be done online by any member of the public… no deletion can take place without giving an opportunity of being heard to the affected person,” the Commission said on social media platform X.

On the specific case of 6,018 alleged deletions in Aland constituency, the EC acknowledged attempts had been made to tamper with voter lists but stressed that it had itself filed an FIR to probe the matter. It further pointed out that the Congress eventually won the Aland seat in the 2023 polls, dismissing claims of large-scale voter manipulation.

The CID’s repeated requests

According to Gandhi, the Karnataka CID had repeatedly sought information such as:

  • Destination IP addresses of devices used to submit deletion requests.
  • OTP and multi-factor authentication records linked to the voter services mobile app.
  • Dates and times of all deletion form submissions.

The CID reportedly sent letters to the state Chief Electoral Officer on February 1, February 4, February 14, February 25, and March 14, asking for access to digital trails that could confirm or deny fraudulent activity.

Despite these persistent efforts, Gandhi claimed the EC withheld critical technical data that would allow investigators to identify devices and logins allegedly used to delete voter records.

Targeting marginalised communities: Rahul Gandhi

Rahul Gandhi alleged that the voter deletions were carried out systematically, using fake logins and centralised software. He claimed the exercise disproportionately targeted marginalised groups, minorities, and oppressed communities that traditionally support the Congress and opposition parties.

“This is not just about Karnataka. Similar patterns are visible in Haryana and other states,” Gandhi told reporters. “This is being done deliberately to erode democracy by attacking voters who form the backbone of the opposition.”

Congress demands release of data

Gandhi urged the EC to immediately provide the Karnataka CID with the necessary IP logs, OTP trails, and related digital information within a week.

“Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar needs to stop protecting the people who are destroying Indian democracy. If this data is not released, it will be proof that the Election Commission itself is complicit in weakening our Constitution,” Gandhi said in his address.

EC’s firm stance

The Election Commission, however, reiterated its commitment to due process and electoral integrity. Officials insisted that the deletion of voters is governed by strict guidelines, including personal hearings and verifications, and that no large-scale manipulation had taken place in Karnataka.

Political observers suggest the exchange between Gandhi and the EC is likely to fuel an already heated political atmosphere, with elections in several key states looming in the coming months. While Gandhi’s allegations have amplified concerns about electoral transparency, the EC’s categorical rejection sets the stage for a prolonged confrontation.

Conclusion

The controversy underscores the heightened scrutiny over India’s electoral process at a time when trust in institutions is increasingly debated. Whether the CID receives the data it has requested — and whether the EC can convincingly demonstrate transparency — may prove crucial in shaping public perception of the fairness of India’s democratic framework.