"Completely Absurd": Poll Body After Rahul Gandhi's "Match-Fixing" Claim
New Delhi:
Issuing a rebuttal to Rahul Gandhi's fresh claims of "match-fixing" in the November 2024 Maharashtra elections, the Election Commission has re-released a document it had issued in April this year and said the Congress leader's allegations are "completely absurd".
In an op-ed for The Indian Express on Saturday, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha raised fresh questions about the way the Maharashtra Assembly elections were conducted. The alliance of the Congress, the Sharad Pawar faction of the NCP and the Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena had suffered a humiliating defeat in the elections despite doing better than the BJP-led coalition in the Lok Sabha polls a few months before that.
The three parties managed to win only 46 of the state's 288 Assembly seats between them while the BJP secured 132 and the factions of the NCP and the Shiv Sena that were allied with it added 98 to the coalition's tally.
Mr Gandhi raised questions about what he claimed was the addition of fake voters to the roll, inflated voter turnout, targeted bogus voting, rigging the panel for appointing the Election Commission, and hiding evidence.
In a post on X, he also expressed apprehension that the same thing could happen in the Bihar Assembly elections later this year.
How to steal an election?
Maharashtra assembly elections in 2024 were a blueprint for rigging democracy.
My article shows how this happened, step by step:
Step 1: Rig the panel for appointing the Election Commission
Step 2: Add fake voters to the roll
Step 3: Inflate voter… pic.twitter.com/ntCwtPVXTu
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 7, 2025
Responding to the charges, the Election Commission pointed out that no serious allegations were made by the party or polling agents appointed by it at the time of voting.
"In every polling booth, the voting progressed in front of the polling agents formally appointed by candidates/political parties. Nominated candidates of the INC (Indian National Congress) or their authorised agents have not raised any substantiated allegations with regard to any kind of abnormal voting at the time of scrutiny before the Returning Officer (RO) and the Election Observers on the next day," the Election Commission said.
It also said no party had filed a substantial number of appeals against the addition of voters to the rolls, making it clear there was no grievance.
"After the finalisation of these Electoral Rolls during Maharashtra elections, as against 9,77,90,752 Electors, only a total of 89 appeals were filed before the 1st appellate authority (DM) and only 1 appeal was filed before the 2nd appellate authority (CEO). Therefore, it is amply clear that there was no grievance of INC or any other political parties before the conduct of the Maharashtra Assembly Elections in 2024," it said.
'Facts Ignored'
Rapping the party for making unsubstantiated allegations and ignoring facts, it added, "Booth Level Agents were also appointed by all Political Parties, including 27,099 by INC. Therefore, these unsubstantiated allegations raised against the Electoral Rolls of Maharashtra are affront to the rule of law. The Election Commission had brought out all these facts in its reply to INC on 24th December 2024 itself which is available on ECI's website. It appears that all these facts are completely being ignored while raising such issues again and again."
An Election Commission source said, "More than 1 lakh booth-level officers of Maharashtra are still waiting for such wild allegations to be converted into at least a single real appeal in front of District Magistrates as per Section 24 of the Representation of the People (RP) Act 1950."
The commission emphasised that Indian elections are held as per the law, and their scale and accuracy are praised around the world.
"Any misinformation being spread, by anyone, is not only a sign of disrespect towards law, but also brings disrepute to the thousands of representatives appointed by their own political party and demotivates lakhs of election staff who work untiringly and transparently during elections.
After any unfavourable verdict by the voters, trying to defame the Election Commission by saying that it is compromised, is completely absurd," it said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Focus is on enhancing diagnostic equipment in government hospitals, says Health Minister
The TDP-led NDA government in the State has evolved an action plan aimed at infusing a sense of discipline among doctors, bringing a change in their conduct towards patients and enhancing diagnostic equipment in government hospitals, according to Minister for Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare Satya Kumar Yadav. Addressing the media in Vijayawada on Saturday (June 7, 2025), the Minister took a jibe at the YSRCP, and said the NDA did not consider people who voted against them as 'back stabbers'. 'We try to fulfil the promises made to the people. We have worked with accountability and responsibility,' he said. Giving an account of the changes in the Primary Health sector, the Minister said, in recognition of the State's efforts in improving the implementation of the Centrally-sponsored schemes at the village level, the Centre sanctioned ₹100 crore for the State towards performance incentive. 'This is not a small thing. During the past five years, the Centre did not give any such incentive,' the Minister said, adding the present government secured funds, to the tune of ₹1,065 crore, from the Centre for construction of 3,318 buildings of Ayushman Aarogya Mandirs in the State. At present, many were being run in rented spaces. Pointing out that timely and reliable diagnostic confirmation of diseases was the first step in ensuring healthcare for all, he said the government procured more than 3,200 diagnostic equipment in the past one year and decided to conduct 47 types of diagnostic tests at the doorstep of the people through the '104' service vehicles. Referring to the Tirumala laddu episode, the Minister said the government was focussing on opening drug testing laboratories in Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada and Kurnool. New labs had been sanctioned for Tirumala, Eluru and Ongole. In line with Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu's vision of digitising healthcare, the Minister said an MoU had been signed with the Bill Gates Foundation for setting up Digital Health Command and Care Centre, strengthening Telemedicine services, supply chain management for drugs and consumables. Giving numbers as 'stastical evidence' of the change brought in by the present government, he said the attendance of doctors and other medical staff had increased by about 7.42% to 14.20%, OP services increased by about 8%, In-Patient (IP) services saw an improvement of 4% to 17.61%, lab tests saw an increase of 7.20%. He added that various surveys had shown that the public perception regarding availability of doctors in Government General Hospitals, their attitude, supply of free medicines improved. Talking about further plans, the Minister said the universal health insurance of up to ₹25 lakh would be rolled out soon. During an interaction with the mediapersons, the Minister said the COVID situation was not alarming in the State and that there were no restrictions on gathering. 'We have N95 masks, oxygen cylinders, beds, wards ready. However, the situation is not alarming and there is nothing to worry,' he said, adding that only those with comorbidities need to be extra careful. Health Special Chief Secretary M.T. Krishna Babu and Commissioner G. Veerapandian were present.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
‘Sanjeev Arora replaced ‘dabangai' with devp-oriented governance'
Ludhiana: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab president Aman Arora on Saturday said that the party's candidate from Ludhiana (West) Assembly constituency, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora, had ushered in a new era by replacing "Dabangai kind of politics" with development-centric governance. Addressing an election meeting at Sarabha Nagar, Aman Arora described Saneev Arora as a refined, honest, and soft-spoken politician. "His campaign is being conducted in a smooth, positive, and people-friendly manner. I am confident that the results will be in his favour," he said, commending Sanjeev for executing significant development works over the last three years. Highlighting the "pro-people" and "pro-industry" approach of the AAP-led Punjab government, Aman Arora said, "Our govt is ensuring the welfare of all sections of society. The policies are entirely people and industry-centric, and the positive outcomes are clearly visible." Urging citizens to exercise their franchise on June 19, he said, "Every vote cast will strengthen Ludhiana's development journey. I also appeal to residents to plan their vacations either before or after polling day to fulfil their civic responsibility." MP Sanjeev Arora said that he had learned a lot from AAP, which was working for his campaign as one family. He acknowledged the dedicated efforts of MPs, MLAs, councillors, and volunteers in his campaign. "Such unity is not only commendable but should also be reflected within our families," he said. Arora reiterated his commitment to public welfare, saying that he had worked "happily" over the last three years and would work with even more responsibility if elected. "Every vote matters. Your support will be a mark of your trust and a symbol of our unity," he said. Punjab minister Hardeep Singh Mundian, Sunil Modi and Arun Sharma were also present at the meeting. Sanjeev Arora also visited Sikh kirtan singer Bhai Harjinder Singh in BRS Nagar and congratulated him on being awarded the Padma Shri. Arora was accompanied by his wife, Sandhya and son, Kavya. MSID:: 121694205 413 |
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Maharashtra polls were match-fixed, Bihar next: Rahul Gandhi
NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday hit out at the Election Commission after the poll watchdog rejected his allegations of rigging in the 2024 Maharashtra assembly election. Reacting to the EC's refutation attributed to the commission officials who spoke on anonymity, Gandhi said, "Evasion won't protect your credibility. Telling the truth will". Also read: 'LOP's desperation over Congress losses on display,' says BJP Sharing his op-ed published in 'The Indian Express', headlined "Match-fixing Maharashtra", on X, Rahul reiterated the allegations he has been making since the poll's result was announced. The 2024 Maharashtra assembly election was a "blueprint for rigging democracy", he said, alleging that this "match-fixing" would next happen in Bihar and "then anywhere BJP is losing". If you have nothing to hide, answer questions in my article and prove it by: publishing consolidated, digital, machine-readable voter rolls for the most recent elections to LS and Vidhan Sabhas of all states Rahul told EC On EC officials rejecting his claims, Rahul said, "Dear EC, you are a constitutional body. Releasing unsigned, evasive notes to intermediaries is not the way to respond to serious questions." "If you have nothing to hide, answer the questions in my article and prove it by: Publishing consolidated, digital, machine-readable voter rolls for the most recent elections to the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabhas of all states including Maharashtra and by releasing all post-5 pm CCTV footage from Maharashtra polling booths," he demanded. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dad-Approved Ways to Celebrate Father's Day in Costa Mesa - Travel Costa Mesa Travel Costa Mesa Read More Undo Rahul further said, "My article shows how this happened, step by step: Step 1: Rig the panel for appointing the Election Commission. Step 2: Add fake voters to the roll. Step 3: Inflate voter turnout. Step 4: Target the bogus voting exactly where BJP needs to win. Step 5: Hide the evidence." He said, "It's not hard to see why BJP was so desperate in Maharashtra. But rigging is like match-fixing - the side that cheats might win the game, but damages institutions and destroys public faith in the result."
