Rahul Gandhi criticizes poll body over voters.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticized the Election Commission, claiming that the number of voters added in Maharashtra was unusually high. He alleged that the increase was equivalent to the entire population of a state like Himachal Pradesh, raising concerns over electoral transparency. Addressing a public gathering, Gandhi questioned the credibility of the voter registration process and accused the authorities of failing to ensure a fair election. He urged the Election Commission to clarify the discrepancies and demanded corrective measures to uphold the integrity of the democratic process in the state.
Opposition Alleges Voter List Irregularities in Maharashtra, Rahul Gandhi Slams Election Commission
New Delhi: The Congress, Shiv Sena-UBT, and Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) on Friday accused the Election Commission of irregularities in Maharashtra’s voter lists, claiming that 39 lakh new. The opposition parties alleged that the sudden surge in voter numbers raised concerns about electoral transparency and fairness.
Addressing a joint press conference in New Delhi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi questioned the legitimacy of the voter additions and urged the Election Commission to clarify the matter. He claimed that the number of voters added in Maharashtra was equivalent to the population of an entire state like Himachal Pradesh.
Rahul Gandhi Questions Voter Surge
Rahul Gandhi, flanked by NCP-SS leader Supriya Sule and Shiv Sena-UBT leader Sanjay Raut, presented data highlighting the alleged discrepancies. He pointed out that Maharashtra’s adult population, according to government data, is 9.54 crore, while the total voter population is 9.7 crore. The addition of 39 lakh voters in just five months since the Lok Sabha elections has raised eyebrows, especially when compared to the 32 lakh voters added between 2019 and 2024—a span of five years.
He emphasized that such an abnormal rise in voter numbers within a short period was unprecedented and demanded that the Election Commission provide the official voter lists.
Opposition Accuses BJP of Benefiting from Voter Additions
The opposition leaders alleged that the majority of the newly added voters have benefited the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), as opposition parties have largely maintained their vote share in the assembly elections. Gandhi claimed that the sudden increase in voters tilted the results in the BJP’s favor, questioning the fairness of the electoral process.
How is this possible unless these additions were deliberately manipulated?”** Gandhi asked. He further criticized the Election Commission for not addressing these concerns transparently and accused it of working under pressure from the ruling party.
Shiv Sena-UBT leader Sanjay Raut echoed Gandhi’s concerns, stating that Maharashtra had never seen such an irregularity in voter registration. “This is a direct attack on democracy. If the electoral process is manipulated, what faith can people have in elections?” Raut remarked.
Call for Election Commission’s Clarification
The opposition parties demanded immediate action from the Election Commission. They insisted that the voter lists be made public so that discrepancies could be verified. Supriya Sule of NCP-SS emphasized the need for electoral integrity, stating, “We are not making baseless allegations. We are presenting government data. The Election Commission must explain how such a drastic increase happened in just five months.”
The controversy over voter lists has added to the growing tensions between opposition parties and the ruling BJP in Maharashtra. The opposition has vowed to take legal and political action if the Election Commission fails to respond satisfactorily.
Rising Concerns Over Electoral Transparency
This is not the first time questions have been raised about voter list discrepancies in India. In several past elections, opposition parties have accused the Election Commission of bias or inefficiency in maintaining accurate voter records. The allegations in Maharashtra have reignited debates over electoral transparency and the need for robust mechanisms to prevent voter fraud.
Legal experts and political analysts believe that if such a significant discrepancy is proven, it could raise serious concerns about the legitimacy of the assembly election results. Transparency is crucial for maintaining public trust in the electoral system,”** said a senior political analyst.
Next Steps for the Opposition
The Congress, Shiv Sena-UBT, and NCP-SS have indicated that they will continue to press for accountability. They plan to approach the Election Commission formally, seeking an official response. Additionally, they have not ruled out taking the matter to court if satisfactory answers are not provided.
Rahul Gandhi, in his concluding remarks, urged the people of Maharashtra to stay vigilant and demand electoral integrity. **”This is not just about one election. It is about democracy itself. If elections are manipulated, the people’s voice is silenced.
As the controversy unfolds, all eyes will be on the Election Commission and how it responds to these serious allegations. With opposition leaders pushing for greater transparency, the issue of voter list integrity in Maharashtra could become a major political flashpoint in the coming months.