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India Today
6 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
One person, one vote exists since 1951: Poll body rejects 'vote chori' charge
The Election Commission (ECI) on Thursday clapped back at Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's allegations of poll irregularities, saying proof should be given instead of creating false narratives by using "dirty phrases" like "vote chori" (vote theft).In a strongly worded statement, the poll watchdog asserted that the law for "one person, one vote" has been in existence since the first elections in 1951-1952. advertisement"If anyone has any proof of any person actually voting twice in any election, it should be shared with ECI with a written affidavit rather than colouring all the electors of India as 'chor' without any proof," the ECI said. Gandhi has been relentlessly attacking the election body over the past week, accusing it of widespread voter manipulation during the 2024 Lok Sabha election, which favoured the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha alleged that fake people were added to voter lists in states like Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and poll body further stated that the use of phrases like "vote chori" was a direct attack on crores of Indian electors and an assault on the integrity of lakhs of election Election Commission's statement came as the Congress stepped up its 'vote chori' campaign, and announced plans to take out "Loktantra bachao" protest marches on August RAHUL GANDHI HAS CLAIMEDThe controversy started after Gandhi alleged there was a "vote chori" of over 1 lakh votes out of the 6.5 lakh votes cast in Karnataka's Mahadevapura assembly segment during the 2024 Lok Sabha Mahadevapura assembly constituency is part of the Bangalore Central Lok Sabha seat. The BJP won the Bangalore Central seat last year by a margin of 32,707 then, the Congress has made similar claims of vote theft in other seats as fact, during a party meeting, Gandhi hinted that "vote theft" could be at play in the 70 seats that the Congress lost by margins of less than 50,000 in last year's Lok Sabha elections.- EndsTune InMust Watch
Economic Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Economic Times
Waging direct fight against 'vote chori' from Bihar's soil: Rahul on Yatra
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said "we are waging a direct fight against vote chori" from the soil of Bihar with the 'Voter Adhikar Yatra', and asserted that his party will ensure a clean voters' list across the country. Gandhi said "vote chori" is not just an election issue but a "decisive battle" to protect democracy, the Constitution and the principle of 'one man, one vote'. In a post on X, Gandhi said, "From 17th August, with 'Voter Adhikar Yatra, we are waging a direct fight against vote theft from the soil of Bihar." "This is not just an election issue - it is a decisive battle to protect democracy, the Constitution and the principle of 'one man, one vote'," the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said."We will ensure a clean voter list across the country. Youth, workers, farmers - every citizen, rise up and join this mass movement," he said. "This time, the defeat of vote thieves - victory of the people, victory of the Constitution," Gandhi former Congress president also shared a video montage on the yatra that also featured visuals from his previous Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra that had passed through Bihar as along with INDIA bloc leaders in Bihar will embark on a 'Vote Adhikar Yatra' across the state starting August 17 against the revision of electoral rolls and to make the "battle against vote chori" a mass movement, the party had said on Wednesday. The yatra will culminate on September 1 with a rally at Patna's Gandhi Maidan. The Congress on Tuesday had claimed that "vote chori" was a "do-or-die" issue for it, and announced a roadmap to take its allegations to the people through various activities, including 'Loktantra bachao mashaal marches' on August 14 evening. The assertion was made after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge held a meeting with party general secretaries, in-charges and heads of its frontal reporters after the meeting, Congress leader and AICC in-charge of National Students' Union of India (NSUI) Kanhaiya Kumar had said that going forward, the Congress will take this to the people with three important programmes. On August 14, the eve of Independence Day, there will be a 'Loktantra bachao mashaal march' at all district headquarters, Kumar said, adding that between August 22 and September 7, the Congress will hold "vote chor, gaddi chhorh (vote thieves, relinquish power)" rallies in all state headquarters. "Between September 15 and October 15, a signature campaign will be run to save the right to vote and ensure people's participation," he had said, while asserting that the whole INDIA bloc is together on Thursday, Gandhi cited data from the 2024 Lok Sabha polls to claim that more than 1 lakh votes were "stolen" through five types of manipulation in the Mahadevapura Assembly segment of Bangalore Central Lok Sabha seat in Karnataka. The opposition has been also protesting in both Houses of Parliament against the revision of electoral rolls, alleging that the EC's exercise is aimed at "disenfranchising voters" in Bihar ahead of the assembly elections due later this year. They have been demanding a discussion on the issue in both Houses.
News18
6 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Waging direct fight against vote chori from Bihars soil: Rahul on Yatra
New Delhi, Aug 14 (PTI) Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said 'we are waging a direct fight against vote chori" from the soil of Bihar with the 'Voter Adhikar Yatra', and asserted that his party will ensure a clean voters' list across the country. Gandhi said 'vote chori" is not just an election issue but a 'decisive battle" to protect democracy, the Constitution and the principle of 'one man, one vote'. In a post on X, Gandhi said, 'From 17th August, with 'Voter Adhikar Yatra, we are waging a direct fight against vote theft from the soil of Bihar." 'This is not just an election issue – it is a decisive battle to protect democracy, the Constitution and the principle of 'one man, one vote'," the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said. 'We will ensure a clean voter list across the country. Youth, workers, farmers – every citizen, rise up and join this mass movement," he said. 'This time, the defeat of vote thieves – victory of the people, victory of the Constitution," Gandhi added. The former Congress president also shared a video montage on the yatra that also featured visuals from his previous Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra that had passed through Bihar as well. Gandhi along with INDIA bloc leaders in Bihar will embark on a 'Vote Adhikar Yatra' across the state starting August 17 against the revision of electoral rolls and to make the 'battle against vote chori" a mass movement, the party had said on Wednesday. The yatra will culminate on September 1 with a rally at Patna's Gandhi Maidan. The Congress on Tuesday had claimed that 'vote chori" was a 'do-or-die" issue for it, and announced a roadmap to take its allegations to the people through various activities, including 'Loktantra bachao mashaal marches' on August 14 evening. The assertion was made after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge held a meeting with party general secretaries, in-charges and heads of its frontal organisations. Briefing reporters after the meeting, Congress leader and AICC in-charge of National Students' Union of India (NSUI) Kanhaiya Kumar had said that going forward, the Congress will take this to the people with three important programmes. On August 14, the eve of Independence Day, there will be a 'Loktantra bachao mashaal march' at all district headquarters, Kumar said, adding that between August 22 and September 7, the Congress will hold 'vote chor, gaddi chhorh (vote thieves, relinquish power)" rallies in all state headquarters. 'Between September 15 and October 15, a signature campaign will be run to save the right to vote and ensure people's participation," he had said, while asserting that the whole INDIA bloc is together on this. Last Thursday, Gandhi cited data from the 2024 Lok Sabha polls to claim that more than 1 lakh votes were 'stolen" through five types of manipulation in the Mahadevapura Assembly segment of Bangalore Central Lok Sabha seat in Karnataka. The opposition has been also protesting in both Houses of Parliament against the revision of electoral rolls, alleging that the EC's exercise is aimed at 'disenfranchising voters" in Bihar ahead of the assembly elections due later this year. They have been demanding a discussion on the issue in both Houses. PTI ASK DV DV view comments First Published: August 14, 2025, 11:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Today in Politics: Three-judge SC Bench may hear stray dog matter; Cong to hold protest marches against ‘vote theft'
The Supreme Court referred the stray dog matter to a three-judge Bench, which is likely to hear the matter on Thursday. On Monday, noting an 'extremely grim' situation due to stray dog bites resulting in rabies, particularly among children, the Supreme Court directed Delhi-NCR authorities to permanently relocate all strays from streets to shelters 'at the earliest'. Saying dog shelters will have to be augmented over time, the apex court directed Delhi authorities to start with creating shelters of around 5,000 canines within six to eight weeks. A bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan passed a slew of directions and warned of strict action against an individual or organisation in case of obstruction, which might also prompt the court to initiate contempt proceedings. 'If any individual or any organisation comes in the way of such force picking up stray dogs and rounding them up, and if it is reported to us, we shall proceed to take strict action against any such resistance which may be offered,' the bench said. The bench further remarked if the animal activists and 'so-called lovers' would be able to bring back children who fell prey to rabies. 'Will they put life back to those children? When situation demands, you have to act,' it said. The top court was hearing a suo motu case initiated on July 28 over stray dog bites leading to rabies in the national capital. Congress to hold 'Loktantra bachao mashaal' marches Upping the ante over Rahul Gandhi's poll rigging claims, the Congress on Tuesday announced a roadmap to take its 'vote chori' allegations to the people, which include taking out 'Loktantra bachao mashaal marches' on Thursday. The party also claimed that as more 'evidence' of 'vote chori' was coming to the fore, it seemed that it was not mere theft but 'dacoity'. Congress leader and AICC in-charge of National Students' Union of India (NSUI) Kanhaiya Kumar said a 'big issue' of 'vote chori' has come to the fore. 'Rahul Gandhi ji has put forward the truth with evidence on how democracy is being throttled,' Kumar said. On August 14, the eve of Independence Day, there will be a 'Loktantra bachao mashaal march' at all district headquarters, Kumar said, adding that between August 22 and September 7, the Congress will hold 'vote chor, gaddi chhorh (vote thieves, relinquish power)' rallies. Will Bihar deputy CM respond to EC notice? All eyes will be on Bihar Deputy CM and BJP leader Vijay Kumar Sinha as the deadline to respond to a notice for allegedly having two voter cards by the EC ends on Thursday. The Election Commission on Sunday issued a notice to Sinha over the issue, officials said. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav alleged that the deputy CM has two voter ID cards and asked what action was taken against Sinha. 'A notice has been served to Sinha for allegedly possessing two voter cards. He has been asked to respond to why he has two voter IDs,' an official said here. In a letter issued to the deputy CM on Sunday by the Electoral Registration Officer for Bankipur Assembly constituency, the ERO sought Sinha's reply for having registered as 'a voter in two different assembly constituencies and possessing two ID cards' by August 14. SC to hear plea on restoration of J&K statehood The Supreme on Thursday is likely to hear pleas seeking restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. A bench of Chief Justice of India B R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran is likely to hear the matter, according to the causelist. On December 11, 2023, the Supreme Court unanimously upheld the revocation of Article 370, even as it ordered that assembly elections be held in Jammu and Kashmir by September 2024 and its statehood be restored 'at the earliest'. Last year, a plea was filed in the top court seeking directions to the Centre for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir within two months. The application was filed by Zahoor Ahmad Bhat, an academician, and Khurshaid Ahmad Malik, a socio-political activist. – With PTI inputs
The Hindu
7 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Congress highlights 'vote chori' with video; Mallikarjun Kharge asks people to raise voice
The Congress on Wednesday (August 13, 2025) stepped up its campaign against alleged 'vote chori' by releasing a new video depicting how fake votes were being cast and party chief Mallikarjun Kharge asking people to raise their voice and save constitutional institutions from the "clutches of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)." Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi also shared the minute-long video and said, "Aapke vote ki chori aapke adhikar ki chori, aapki pehchaan ki chori hai." Tagging the advertisement titled 'booth par vote chori", Congress president Kharge said, "Do not let your rights to vote be snatched away. Ask questions, demand answers this time! Raise your voice against vote chori." "Free constitutional institutions from the clutches of the BJP," he said in his message to the people on X. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also shared the video on X, and said, "the theft of your vote is theft of your rights, theft of your identity." "Save your right to vote, Raise your voice against vote theft," she said. The video made by the Congress depicts a family entering a polling booth with two people telling them that their votes have already been cast by them and it ends with the two persons casting fake votes showing a thumbs up to an officer sitting at the table with 'election chori aayog' display plate on his table. The Congress on Tuesday (August 12, 2025) had claimed that "vote chori" was a "do-or-die" issue for it, and announced a roadmap to take its allegations to the people through various activities, including taking out 'Loktantra bachao mashaal marches' on August 14 evening. SIR exercise institutionalised vote theft: Rahul Gandhi The Opposition party also claimed that as more "evidence" of "vote chori" was coming to the fore, it seemed that it was not mere theft but "dacoity". The assertion was made after Mr. Kharge held a meeting with party general secretaries, in-charges and heads of its frontal organisations. The meeting was attended by the likes of former party chief Rahul Gandhi and general secretaries Priyanka Gandhi, Jairam Ramesh, K.C. Venugopal, Sachin Pilot, Bhanwar Jitendra Singh, Ghulam Ahmad Mir, as well as treasurer Ajay Maken. Briefing reporters after the meeting, Congress leader and AICC in-charge of National Students' Union of India (NSUI) Kanhaiya Kumar had said a "big issue" of "vote chori" has come to the fore. "Rahul Gandhi ji has put forward the truth with evidence on how democracy is being throttled," he had said. Mr. Kumar had said that going forward, the Congress will take this to the people with three important programmes. On August 14, the eve of Independence Day, there will be a 'Loktantra bachao mashaal march' at all district headquarters, Mr. Kumar said, adding that between August 22 and September 7, the Congress will hold "vote chor, gaddi chhorh (vote thieves, relinquish power)" rallies in all State headquarters. "Between September 15 and October 15, a signature campaign will be run to save the right to vote and ensure people's participation," he had said, while asserting that the whole INDIA bloc is together on this. The Congress has also launched a web portal for people to register and demand accountability from the poll panel against what it called "vote chori", and express support for the demand for digital voter rolls. Mr. Gandhi had urged people to support this demand by registering on Anyone can click on the portal link and download "vote chori proof, demand Election Commission accountability and report vote chori." It also carries Mr. Gandhi's video in which he reiterated his explosive claims of a "huge criminal fraud" in the polls through "collusion" between the BJP and the EC. He had cited an analysis in a constituency in Karnataka to support his claim, and said it was "a crime against the Constitution." On Monday (August 11, 2025), Opposition MPs, including Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Mr. Pawar, took out a protest march from the Parliament House to the Election Commission office against the revision of electoral rolls in Bihar and alleged "vote chori", but were stopped midway by the police and briefly detained amid high drama.
