Rahul Gandhi Ignites "Vote Theft" Row, Demands Electoral Transparency

In a powerful and charged press conference, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi once again brought the contentious issue of "vote theft" to the forefront, intensifying his claims regarding the integrity of India's recent Lok Sabha elections. Gandhi asserted that the nation's democratic process is under threat, alleging systematic manipulation and a lack of transparency that casts a long shadow over the electoral outcome.

Gandhi's impassioned address began by reiterating his long-standing concerns, framing the situation as a direct assault on the fundamental principles of Indian democracy.

He unequivocally declared, "I started my press conference with 'vote theft.' I still hold that opinion because I believe that in India, the democratic structure is being stolen, and the Constitution is being stolen." This statement set the tone for a series of pointed criticisms directed at both the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and the functioning of the Election Commission (EC).

A significant point of contention raised by Gandhi was the controversy surrounding a returning officer's relative in Maharashtra, who was reportedly found manipulating EVMs.

He highlighted this incident as concrete evidence supporting his broader allegations of electoral malpractice. Furthermore, Gandhi sharply criticized the Election Commission for its perceived lack of transparency, specifically questioning why the final vote counts were not promptly released and why the official website's data did not align with the figures from the EC's app.

The Congress leader also seized upon recent comments made by Tesla CEO Elon Musk regarding EVMs, using them to bolster his argument for a more verifiable electoral system.

While acknowledging that Musk's comments might be global, Gandhi emphasized the imperative for India, as a leading democracy, to maintain absolute transparency in its election process. "The Election Commission has been completely silent, opaque... We are not saying that EVMs are a bad thing," Gandhi clarified, "but we are saying that if there are no paper trails, then it is a problem."

Central to Gandhi's demands was a vehement call for a return to paper ballots, or at the very least, a robust and fully verifiable paper trail for all electronic votes.

He argued that without such a mechanism, public trust in the electoral system would continue to erode. "We want the ballot paper system to be reintroduced in India," he asserted, advocating for a system that he believes is more immune to manipulation and provides greater accountability.

Gandhi concluded his press meet by asserting that the sanctity of India's elections is paramount and that the concerns raised are not merely partisan but fundamental to the health of the nation's democracy.

His continued focus on "vote theft" and EVM integrity signals an ongoing and potent challenge to the current electoral framework, promising to keep the debate on transparency and fairness alive in the political discourse.