New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI), on Sunday, accused the Congress and other Opposition parties of misleading and scaring voters through allegations of ‘Vote Chori’. In its first press conference since the start of the Special Intensive Review (SIR) process in Bihar, the ECI said that all political parties are the same, as far as the poll body is concerned.
“When politics is being done by targeting the voters of India by keeping a gun on the shoulder of the Election Commission, today the Election Commission wants to make it clear to everyone that the Election Commission fearlessly stood, is standing and will continue to stand like a rock with all the voters of all sections and all religions including the poor, rich, elderly, women, youth without any discrimination,” Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar said.
“Every political party is registered with the Election Commission. How can the Commission discriminate between them? For us, all are equal. The EC will not step back from its Constitutional duty, regardless of which party is involved,” he added.
Regarding claims of double voting, the CEC said some voters had raised the issue, but no proof was submitted when asked. “Neither the Election Commission nor any voter is afraid of such false allegations,” he added.
On the ongoing SIR in Bihar, Kumar said the process is transparent, with active participation from voters, political parties, and booth-level officers. “All stakeholders are jointly verifying data, signing off on documents, and even providing video testimonials,” he said, adding that the Commission’s doors remain open to all.
He raised concerns that verified reports from the ground were not reaching top party leaders or were being selectively ignored, contributing to misinformation.
“More than seven crore voters in Bihar are standing with the EC. There is no question mark on the Commission’s credibility or that of the voters,” Kumar said.
“Under the Constitution, every citizen above 18 must register as a voter and exercise their right to vote. For the Election Commission, there is neither an opposition nor a ruling party, as all are equal. Phrases like ‘Vote Chori’ are an insult to the Constitution. During the Lok Sabha elections, over one crore employees, more than 10 lakh booth-level agents, and over 20 lakh polling agents of candidates work for the electoral process. He questioned whether, in such a transparent process conducted in front of so many people, it would even be possible for any voter to steal votes,” the CEC said.
On whether SIR will also be conducted in West Bengal and other states, Kumar stated that a decision on this would be taken collectively by the three Election Commissioners.
Kumar said that as per the Constitution of India, only Indian citizens are eligible to contest MP and MLA elections and cast their votes. Foreign nationals have no such right. He added that if non-citizens have filled out enumeration forms, they would be required to prove their nationality during the SIR process, failing which their names would be removed after verification.
Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha has been questioning why the ECI asked him to file an affidavit. When asked about this, the CEC explained that anyone who is not a voter of a particular constituency has only one option under the law to raise a complaint. He cited Rule 20, sub-clause (3), sub-clause (b) of the Registration of Electors Rules, which allows such individuals to lodge a complaint as a witness.
He further clarified that in such cases, the complainant must give an oath before the electoral registration officer. This oath, he added, must be administered in the presence of the person against whom the complaint has been filed.
The ECI statements came on the day Gandhi launched his 1,300-km Voter Adhikar Yatra from Sasaram, Bihar. He was joined by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and RJD leaders Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav, Gandhi described the Yatra as a “fight to save the Constitution.” The march will cover over 20 districts and is part of the Opposition INDIA bloc’s campaign against alleged electoral irregularities.
