Congress Leader Claims Voter List Manipulation in Mahadevapura
On August 7, 2025, Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of orchestrating a “massive criminal fraud” in Karnataka’s Mahadevapura Assembly constituency, part of Bangalore Central Lok Sabha seat. Gandhi alleged large-scale voter list manipulation, calling it a direct attack on India’s democratic foundation.
Congress Investigation Uncovers Alleged Electoral Irregularities
Gandhi presented findings from a Congress-led investigation, claiming the BJP’s 2024 Lok Sabha victory in Bangalore Central, with a margin of 32,707 votes, was tainted by fraud. He highlighted Mahadevapura, where the BJP secured a 1,14,046-vote lead, alleging that approximately 1,00,250 votes were manipulated. The Congress identified five methods of voter fraud:
- Duplicate Voters: 11,965 cases of individuals allegedly registered multiple times.
- Fake Addresses: 40,009 voter entries with unverified or invalid addresses.
- Bulk Registrations: 10,452 voters listed at single addresses, such as 80 voters in a one-room house.
- Invalid Photos: 4,132 voter IDs with missing or incorrect photos.
- Form 6 Misuse: 33,692 instances of fraudulent voter registration via Form 6.
Gandhi cited specific examples, including 46 voters registered at one residence, 68 at a brewery’s address, and a 70-year-old woman enrolled twice within two months. He claimed such irregularities extend beyond Karnataka, skewing election results nationwide and affecting the accuracy of exit polls and surveys.
Accusations Against the Election Commission
Gandhi accused the ECI of colluding with the BJP by withholding critical evidence, such as machine-readable voter lists and CCTV footage from polling stations. “This is a crime against the Constitution and the Indian flag,” he stated, warning that the ECI’s refusal to share digital data suggests an intent to conceal fraud. Responding to the Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer’s request for a signed affidavit, Gandhi declared, “My public statements are my oath. The ECI hasn’t disputed the data because it’s accurate.”
He further cautioned that if the Opposition gains power, those responsible for electoral malpractices would face consequences, emphasizing the need to protect India’s democratic principles.
ECI and BJP Rebut Claims
The ECI dismissed Gandhi’s allegations as “misleading,” urging him to submit formal evidence under oath. BJP leaders, including Bangalore Central MP PC Mohan, defended their victory, asserting it reflected genuine voter support. Some sources suggest Gandhi’s evidence aligns with the ECI’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, aimed at correcting voter roll discrepancies, though Congress opposes the SIR in states like Bihar.
Call for Electoral Reforms and Accountability
In light of these allegations, the need for electoral transparency is paramount. The Election Commission must implement reforms, such as providing digital voter data and polling booth footage for public scrutiny. If proven, such manipulations demand re-elections in affected constituencies and strict accountability for those involved, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and implicated ECI officials. Legal action, potentially including imprisonment, is essential to safeguard India’s democracy.