In a striking turn of events, a serious dispute has emerged in Indian politics surrounding allegations of "vote theft" during the country's 2024 general elections. Opposition parties are leveling accusations against the Election Commission of India (ECI), asserting that irregularities favored the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This controversy has sparked significant unrest in parliament, leading to its adjournment as opposition MPs sought a discussion on electoral integrity.
The clash reached a boiling point during a protest in Delhi, where numerous opposition leaders, including Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi, were briefly detained while attempting to march to the ECI's headquarters. Gandhi initially raised these allegations in a press conference on August 7, urging other lawmakers to support his claims, which highlighted alleged widespread voter manipulation backed by data from the electoral authority itself.
Despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi's reelection for a historic third term, reports indicate that the BJP-led coalition did not achieve the commanding majority anticipated. With nearly a billion registered voters participating, voter turnout averaged 66% in what is heralded as the world's largest electoral exercise.
Gandhi's allegations include claims of more than 100,000 manipulated entries on the voter list in the Mahadevapura area of Bangalore Central, pointing to instances of duplicate votes, invalid addresses, and bulk registrations at single locations. He supported his assertions with specific cases, such as that of Shakun Rani, who purportedly voted twice—an assertion the ECI has contested. Furthermore, allegations of deleted CCTV footage from polling stations have fueled the controversy, with Gandhi asserting that such distortions cost his party at least 48 seats in the elections.
In contrast, both the ECI and the BJP have vehemently dismissed these claims. The election body characterized Gandhi's allegations as "absurd" and demanded that he formally retract them or provide a signed declaration under oath. BJP officials have also criticized the actions of the opposition, describing them as destructive to democracy, with statements indicating that they are aggravating tensions within constitutional institutions.
The political ramifications of Gandhi's allegations are significant, especially in light of ongoing electoral revisions in Bihar—a state preparing for elections in November. This recent exercise aims to update electoral rolls, yet critics assert that the rush to complete the review has disenfranchised several voters, particularly marginalized groups and migrants.
India's Supreme Court is currently reviewing several petitions contesting the Special Intensive Revision conducted in Bihar, with claims that many names were unjustly removed from the rolls. The ECI is defending its actions, explaining that the deletions largely involve deceased individuals, duplicates, and voters who have left the state. Meanwhile, corrections remain open, and the court has expressed willingness to intervene if there is evidence of widespread voter exclusion.
As the situation unfolds, the controversy over allegations of "vote theft" remains at the forefront of India's political discourse, with calls for transparency and accountability intensifying as the integrity of electoral processes continues to be challenged.
