Rahul Gandhi Alleges Electoral Irregularities, Calls Election Commission "Compromised" in US Address

Rahul Gandhi, addressing the Indian diaspora in Boston, accused the Election Commission of being "compromised," citing voter irregularities in Maharashtra polls. The EC rejected his claims, asserting that the electoral roll updates followed due process. The clash has sparked renewed debate over the transparency of India’s electoral system.

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has levelled strong allegations against the Election Commission of India during a public address to the Indian diaspora in Boston. Speaking at an event alongside Congress Overseas Chief Sam Pitroda, Gandhi claimed the electoral process in India is deeply flawed, stating that the Election Commission has been "compromised" and that there is “something very wrong with the system.”

Citing the Maharashtra assembly elections as an example, Gandhi alleged that the voter turnout figures were implausible. He claimed that 65 lakh new voters were added to the rolls within a two-hour window on polling day, which he described as “physically impossible.” According to him, the numbers released by the EC at 5:30 p.m. drastically changed by 7:30 p.m., surpassing the total population of Maharashtra.

“It’s very clear to us that the Election Commission is compromised,” Gandhi said, raising concerns about transparency and fairness in the country’s electoral process.

In response, the Election Commission of India rejected the accusations, stating that the allegations lack factual basis. It clarified that only 89 formal appeals or corrections were submitted in Maharashtra during the Special Summary Revision (SSR) exercise, which concluded in early January 2025. The SSR process is conducted before major elections to include new voters and update records, such as removing duplicates or deceased individuals.

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The EC also noted that despite over 13 million Booth Level Agents operating nationwide, the limited number of appeals suggests widespread acceptance of the electoral rolls. The Commission defended the integrity of the current electoral system, asserting that the updated rolls were published without significant contestation and must be considered valid.

The debate has reignited discussions on electoral accountability as the country heads into a politically charged season.