'Election Commission is compromised': Rahul Gandhi slams poll body in Boston

Rahul Gandhi in Boston

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday launched fresh attack on Election Commission, stating that the poll body is compromised.

The Congress MP made these remarks while addressing Indian diaspora in Boston and cited example of Maharashtra assembly elections to support his claim.

"It is very clear to us that the Election Commission is compromised, and it is very clear that there is something wrong with the system. I have said this multiple times. More people voted in the Maharashtra Assembly elections than there are adults in Maharashtra. The Election Commission gave us a voting figure for 5:30 PM and between 5:30 PM and 7:30 PM, 65 lakh voters voted. This is physically impossible to happen," he said.

"For a voter to vote, it takes approx 3 minutes, and if you do the Math, it would mean that there were lines of voters till 2 AM, but this did not happen. When we asked them for the video graphy, they not only refused but they also changed the law so that now we are not allowed to ask for the videography," he added.

Meanwhile, the poll body had earlier, stated that allegations made by Political parties about manipulated electoral rolls were unfounded.

Hardly any first or second appeals were made under Section 24 of the Representation of People act, or correction of any entries in Electoral Rolls (Section 22) or Inclusion (Section 23) during the recent Special Summary Revision published on January 6-7 2025, news agency ANI reported citing sources.

The Special Summary Revision (SSR) reviews the voter list and releases a draft electoral roll. It is usually held prior to elections and aims to uphold a just and transparent voting process by adding newly eligible voters, including those who have reached the age of 18 or have changed their constituency while removing duplicate and deceased voters.