Vote Chori’ Row: Rahul Gandhi’s Explosive Allegations Shake Political Discourse
Vote Chori’ Row: Rahul Gandhi’s Explosive Allegations Shake Political Discourse
Congress leader alleges large-scale voter roll manipulation; Election Commission calls charges “misleading and unsubstantiated”
Public Headlines News Bureau | New Delhi | November 2025
New Delhi:
India’s political temperature soared this week after Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi alleged a massive “Vote Chori” — or “vote theft” — operation across several states, accusing the ruling party and the Election Commission of manipulating voter rolls.
At a fiery press conference held at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters in New Delhi on 5 November 2025, Gandhi claimed that as many as 25 lakh fake or duplicate votes were found in Haryana’s electoral rolls, describing the alleged irregularities as an attempt to “institutionalise vote theft in India.”
“This is not an error — this is a theft of democracy. The same photograph appears 20 times in different polling booths. Even foreign models are showing up as Indian voters. This is digital manipulation at a national scale,” Gandhi said, displaying a slideshow of voter ID samples before reporters.
The Allegations: ‘A Rigged Roll, A Rigged Democracy’
According to the Congress, its investigation teams found that identical photographs and voter names were used multiple times in different constituencies. The most sensational claim involved a Brazilian model’s photograph appearing on over 20 voter IDs in Haryana’s Dhakola constituency — a finding that has since gone viral on social media.
Gandhi further alleged that during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process of electoral rolls, voters belonging to Dalit, Adivasi, OBC, and minority communities were selectively deleted, while duplicate voters were allegedly inserted to favour the ruling party.
He termed the operation “a systematic effort to disenfranchise millions,” vowing to present “100% verifiable proof” to the public and courts in the coming weeks.
“The BJP and Election Commission are hand-in-glove. They are deleting votes of the poor and multiplying votes for the powerful,” Gandhi declared.
The Election Commission Responds
The Election Commission of India (EC) quickly dismissed the allegations as “baseless, misleading and politically motivated.”
In a rare public statement, the EC said all voter roll revisions are conducted under strict legal procedures and transparency guidelines.
“Mr. Rahul Gandhi has made sweeping claims without furnishing verifiable evidence. He has been asked to submit an affidavit or formal complaint with proof — which he has not done,” an EC spokesperson stated.
Earlier in August, the Commission had issued a notice asking Gandhi to “either sign a formal declaration under oath or withdraw his comments.” The Congress leader, however, maintained that the EC itself must initiate an inquiry “if it values its institutional integrity.”
The Opposition’s Campaign: From Slogan to Street
The controversy has now evolved into a mass campaign. The Congress and other INDIA bloc allies have launched ‘Vote Chori Hatao, Democracy Bachao’ marches across multiple states.
In Uttar Pradesh, the Congress claims to have gathered over 18 lakh public signatures demanding an independent audit of voter rolls.
In Bihar, Gandhi has been leading the “Voter Adhikar Yatra” — a 1,300-kilometre march across 20 districts — urging citizens to safeguard their “constitutional right to vote.”
“Every Indian must ensure their name is on the voter list. Don’t let your democracy be stolen,” Gandhi told crowds in Purnia, Bihar.
What’s at Stake
The Vote Chori controversy has reopened a sensitive debate about electoral transparency and the credibility of India’s democratic institutions.
While the Election Commission insists that all roll revisions are verified and cross-checked, opposition leaders argue that digital systems are being exploited to alter voter lists at scale.
Political analysts see the episode as part of a larger narrative battle ahead of crucial state elections and the 2026 Lok Sabha cycle.
“The Congress is trying to shift the political discourse from welfare to legitimacy — raising questions about electoral trust itself,” says Dr. R. Madhavan, a political scientist at Delhi University.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), meanwhile, has accused the Congress of “manufacturing controversy” to mask its internal weaknesses. “Rahul Gandhi is recycling conspiracy theories to stay politically relevant,” a BJP spokesperson said.
Key Timeline of the ‘Vote Chori’ Row
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Aug 10, 2025 | Congress launches nationwide ‘Vote Chori’ helpline and website for voter complaints. |
| Aug 17, 2025 | Gandhi begins 16-day ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ in Bihar. |
| Aug 25, 2025 | EC’s deadline for Rahul’s affidavit passes without submission. |
| Nov 5, 2025 | Rahul Gandhi’s explosive press conference in New Delhi alleges 25 lakh fake votes in Haryana. |
| Nov 7, 2025 | EC reiterates that Gandhi must file formal proof or withdraw allegations. |