EC Denies Rahul Gandhi’s Claim of Online Voter Deletion, Cites Law & Due Process

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has dismissed allegations by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi that votes are being deleted online through a centralised software. The poll body clarified that no vote can be deleted online directly, and that every deletion goes through a strict legal process.

What Rahul Gandhi Alleged

At a recent press conference, Rahul Gandhi alleged:

• That voter names — especially of Dalits, OBCs, Adivasis, minorities, and opposition supporters — were being deleted systematically.
• He described the process as a “software-driven vote chori” (theft of votes).
• Gandhi showcased data from Aland, Karnataka, claiming that over 6,000 votes were targeted for deletion during the 2023 assembly polls.
• He accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of shielding “vote thieves.”

EC’s Official Clarification

In a detailed statement, the Election Commission countered the claims:

• No one can delete a vote online. At most, a voter can submit a Form 7 request online for deletion of an entry in the electoral roll.
• However, submitting the form does not lead to automatic deletion. The application must be verified by the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO).
• By law (Registration of Electors Rules, 1960), a notice must be sent to the concerned voter, and they must be given a chance to respond before their name is removed.
• The Commission stressed that “no wrongful deletion” takes place without due process.

The Aland, Karnataka Case

The EC also addressed the Aland example Rahul Gandhi cited:

• In 2023, 6,018 applications for deletion were filed online.
• On verification, only 24 were genuine. The rest (5,994 applications) were rejected.
• Suspecting misuse, the authorities conducted an inquiry and filed an FIR at Aland Police Station (Feb 2023).
• This, the EC said, showed its system worked and prevented wrongful deletions.

Why This Matters

The controversy highlights two key issues:

• Trust in electoral rolls: Voter lists form the foundation of free and fair elections. Even small doubts can spark major political battles.
• Misinformation risks: With multiple claims in the public sphere, clarifications from institutions are crucial to maintain faith in democracy.

Highlights of EC Statement

Point	EC’s Clarification
Online deletions	Not possible.Only Form 7 requests allowed.
Process	Verification by ERO; notice to voter before deletion.
Aland case	24 valid, 5,994 rejected, FIR filed for suspicious activity.
Safeguards	Law mandates checks to prevent misuse.

Reactions & Political Fallout

• Rahul Gandhi’s remarks have sharpened the political debate over electoral integrity ahead of elections.
• Congress leaders backed his claims, arguing that the scale of deletion attempts itself raises red flags.
• BJP leaders countered, saying Rahul is misleading voters and undermining institutions.
• Civil society groups have called for greater transparency in how applications for voter addition/deletion are handled.

Quick Takeaway

• Rahul Gandhi alleged a software-driven deletion of votes.
• EC clarified no one can delete votes online; every deletion goes through due process.
• In Karnataka’s Aland case, only 24 genuine applications were approved, rest rejected, FIR filed.
• The issue has triggered a fresh political battle over electoral transparency and trust.

FAQs

Conclusion

The Election Commission’s firm rebuttal to Rahul Gandhi underscores the importance of law, due process, and safeguards in voter roll management. While political debates continue, the EC’s explanation reaffirms that no arbitrary online deletions are possible.

For voters, the message is clear: electoral rolls are protected by a transparent legal framework, and any irregularities must be addressed through established channels.

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