New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has urged Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, to submit a formal written complaint over his allegations of large-scale electoral malpractice in the 2024 Maharashtra assembly elections.
The EC’s response came after Gandhi, in an opinion piece accused the Commission of enabling “match-fixing” in the electoral process. He alleged that the Maharashtra elections were part of a “blueprint for rigging democracy”, warning that similar manipulation could take place in upcoming elections, including in Bihar.
Gandhi’s reluctance to write formally to poll panel
A senior EC official, speaking to the Times of India, questioned Gandhi’s reluctance to write formally to the poll panel. “It is very strange that even after 24 hours have passed since his article was published, Shri Rahul Gandhi has neither written to the EC nor sought time to present his concerns. A constitutional body like the EC can only respond formally when approached through official communication,” the official said.
The EC reiterated that all political parties, including the Congress, had been invited for consultations in May as part of its outreach initiative following the appointment of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. While other national parties attended the meetings, the Congress sought a deferral of its May 15 appointment, which has yet to be rescheduled.
Writing for a leading media organisation, Rahul raised concerns over a sudden spike in elector numbers in 85 constituencies where the BJP had underperformed in the Lok Sabha elections. He also demanded the release of consolidated, machine-readable voter rolls and post-5pm CCTV footage from polling stations.
CCTV footage is not made publicly available
Responding to these demands, EC clarified that such CCTV footage is not made publicly available due to privacy concerns and electoral integrity. It can, however, be scrutinised by a competent high court if a petition is filed before it. “Does the Leader of Opposition not trust even the High Court now?” the official asked.
The Commission also took exception to Gandhi’s remarks, suggesting that his allegations indirectly cast aspersions on lakhs of polling and counting staff, including booth-level agents appointed by his own party. “Such baseless accusations undermine the integrity and hard work of over 60 lakh officials and agents across the country,” the officer further said.
The poll body has always maintained that it had already responded to similar allegations twice — once in a detailed note to the Congress dated December 24, 2024, and again via media clarifications on April 22, 2025 but added that it was again ready to provide details. “We are ready to offer a point-by-point rebuttal, but only once a formal complaint is received.”
