Bengaluru, August 11, 2025 – The Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) has issued a notice to Congress Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, demanding evidence to support his claim made during a press conference on August 7, 2025, that Election Commission (EC) data showed a voter, Shakun Rani, had voted twice in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The CEO’s office has refuted the allegation, stating that Shakun Rani voted only once and that the tick-marked document presented by Gandhi was not issued by a polling officer. Gandhi has been asked to provide documents to substantiate his claims for a detailed inquiry.

Background of the Controversy

During a press conference at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters in New Delhi on August 7, 2025, Rahul Gandhi alleged large-scale voter fraud in Karnataka’s Mahadevapura Assembly segment, part of the Bangalore Central Lok Sabha constituency. Citing what he claimed was EC data, Gandhi stated that Shakun Rani had cast her vote twice, presenting a tick-marked document as evidence. He further alleged that over 1,00,250 votes were “stolen” in Mahadevapura through methods such as duplicate entries, fake addresses, and bulk registrations.

Gandhi claimed the Congress expected to win 16 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka but secured only nine, attributing the shortfall to electoral irregularities. He accused the Election Commission of colluding with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to manipulate voter lists, calling it a “crime against the Indian Constitution.” The Congress leader also demanded that the EC release digital voter rolls for public audit to ensure transparency.

Karnataka CEO’s Response

In a letter dated August 10, 2025, the Karnataka CEO, V Anbukkumar, challenged Gandhi’s allegations, stating that a preliminary inquiry found no evidence to support the claim that Shakun Rani voted twice. The letter emphasized that Shakun Rani herself confirmed she voted only once. Additionally, the tick-marked document presented by Gandhi during the press conference was not issued by a polling officer, as per the CEO’s investigation.

The notice read: “In your press conference, you stated that the documents shown are from the records of the Election Commission of India, saying, ‘This is EC data.’ You also stated that as per the records given by the polling officer, Smt. Shakun Rani has voted twice… On inquiry, Smt. Shakun Rani has stated that she has voted only once and not twice, as alleged by you. Preliminary enquiry conducted by this office also reveals that the tick-marked document shown by you in the presentation is not a document issued by the polling officer.”

The CEO has requested Gandhi to provide the relevant documents on which he based his claim, stating, “You are kindly requested to provide the relevant documents on the basis of which you have concluded that Smt. Shakun Rani or anyone else has voted twice, so that a detailed inquiry can be undertaken by this office.” The notice underscores that electoral rolls are prepared transparently under the Representation of the People Act, 1950, and the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, and that the latest rolls were shared with Congress representatives in November 2024 and January 2025.

Election Commission’s Broader Stance

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has also responded to Gandhi’s allegations, labeling them as “misleading, factless, and threatening.” On August 1, 2025, the ECI posted on X, urging Gandhi to either submit a signed declaration under Rule 20 (3) (b) of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, listing the names of electors allegedly involved in fraud, or to “stop misleading” the public with baseless claims. The ECI warned that making false declarations regarding electoral rolls is punishable under Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, and Section 227 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

The Karnataka CEO’s notice aligns with similar demands from the CEOs of Maharashtra and Haryana, where Gandhi also alleged voter list manipulations. The Uttar Pradesh CEO separately denied Gandhi’s claim that two Bengaluru electors were registered in UP constituencies, stating no such names appeared in their rolls.

Rahul Gandhi’s Rebuttal

On August 10, 2025, Gandhi doubled down on his allegations, posting on X: “Vote Chori is an attack on the foundational idea of ‘one man, one vote’. A clean voter roll is imperative for free and fair elections. Our demand from the EC is clear – be transparent and release digital voter rolls so that people and parties can audit them. This fight is to protect our democracy.” During the August 7 press conference, he had stated, “I am a politician. What I say to the people is my word. I am saying it publicly to everybody. Take it as an oath… They haven’t denied the information. They know the truth.”

Gandhi also warned EC officials of consequences, stating, “It doesn’t matter how senior or junior you are. One day, the Opposition is going to come to power and then you see what we do to you.” He accused the EC of withholding voter data to conceal fraud and called for judicial intervention to protect Indian democracy.

Congress Party’s Next Steps

The Congress has announced a strategy meeting on August 11, 2025, at its New Delhi headquarters, chaired by party president Mallikarjun Kharge, to plan a nationwide campaign against “voter list manipulation and election fraud.” The party, alongside its INDIA bloc partners, also plans to oppose the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar. Karnataka’s Congress-led government has supported Gandhi, with Home Minister G Parameshwara stating that the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) will file a complaint with the State Election Commission, and Gandhi will address the issue with the Central Election Commission. Parameshwara argued that there is no need for Gandhi to provide documents, as the KPCC will handle submissions in Karnataka.

Implications and Analysis

The escalating row between Rahul Gandhi and the ECI highlights growing tensions over electoral transparency in India. Gandhi’s allegations, if substantiated, could raise serious questions about the integrity of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. However, the ECI’s swift rebuttal and demand for evidence underscore the legal and procedural frameworks governing electoral rolls. The claim regarding Shakun Rani’s alleged double voting has been directly contradicted by both the voter and the CEO’s inquiry, placing the onus on Gandhi to produce credible evidence.

The controversy also has political ramifications. Gandhi’s accusations align with the Congress’s broader narrative of challenging the BJP’s electoral dominance, particularly after securing only nine of Karnataka’s 28 Lok Sabha seats despite expecting 16. The focus on Mahadevapura, where Gandhi alleged 1,00,250 votes were manipulated, points to specific grievances in a key constituency. However, without concrete evidence, the allegations risk being dismissed as political rhetoric, potentially undermining the Congress’s credibility.

What’s Next?

The Karnataka CEO’s notice sets the stage for a critical test of Gandhi’s claims. If he fails to provide the requested documents, the ECI may press for a formal apology or legal action, citing the punitive provisions of the Representation of the People Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Conversely, if Gandhi produces verifiable evidence, it could trigger a deeper investigation into electoral processes, potentially reshaping public trust in the ECI.

As the Congress prepares for its nationwide campaign, the outcome of this dispute will likely influence the political discourse ahead of future elections. For now, all eyes are on Rahul Gandhi to see whether he can back his bold claims with proof or if the ECI’s rebuttal will hold firm.

Stay tuned to Masala Mirror for the latest updates on this developing story and more news from India and beyond.