TFP Bureau, Raipur, June 8, 2025: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a sharp and point-wise rebuttal to allegations recently made by senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, clarifying that his claims lack substance and directly question the integrity of electoral officials appointed by his own party.
In an official statement released yesterday, the ECI addressed Mr. Gandhi’s public statements regarding irregularities in Maharashtra during the Lok Sabha polls. The Commission said that instead of raising concerns formally, the Congress leader chose to criticize the booth-level agents, polling and counting staff—many of whom were selected by the Congress itself. “These baseless allegations have not only undermined the credibility of the election process but also deeply demoralized over 10.5 lakh booth level officers, 50 lakh polling personnel, and 1 lakh counting observers across the country,” the statement read.
The Commission further clarified that arrangements have been made for High Courts to access CCTV footage from polling stations in the event of election petitions, maintaining both electoral transparency and voter privacy. Questioning Mr. Gandhi’s motives, the ECI asked, “Why does Mr. Gandhi or his party seek direct access to footage that is protected to ensure voter privacy? Does he no longer trust the High Courts of India?”
The controversy escalated when Mr. Gandhi first aired his allegations on social media and in media interactions. However, after facing backlash from the public and constitutional experts, the Congress Party appeared to take control of the narrative, with senior leaders and the party’s official channels issuing clarifications and defenses.
Interestingly, the Commission noted that despite Mr. Gandhi’s claims of serious electoral discrepancies, neither he nor his party has submitted a formal written complaint or sought an appointment with the ECI. “It is surprising that someone who claims to raise grave concerns hasn’t even bothered to write a letter or seek an official meeting,” an ECI spokesperson commented.
Adding to the irony, the Commission revealed that when all national parties, including Congress, were invited for a meeting on 15 May 2025 to discuss electoral processes and feedback, the Congress Party declined to attend and asked for more time.
The Election Commission reiterated its commitment to conducting free, fair, and transparent elections and urged political leaders to follow due constitutional process before leveling accusations that may erode public trust in democratic institutions.
