Rahul Gandhi alleged that approximately one in six BJP MPs in the Lok Sabha won their seats through “vote chori” (vote theft), questioning their legitimacy and suggesting they are “ghuspethiya” (infiltrators). He made these claims while addressing a rally in Rajasthan, referencing a recent report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).
The ADR report analyzed affidavits submitted by candidates in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and found discrepancies in the counting process for 393 seats. Specifically, it highlighted instances where the number of votes counted didn’t match the number of votes recorded in the control unit of the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM).
Gandhi stated that discrepancies were found in 228 seats won by the BJP and its allies. He further elaborated that in 28% of these seats, the difference between votes counted and votes recorded was significant enough to alter the election result. He questioned how individuals elected through such means could represent the people.
The Congress leader criticized the Election Commission for not addressing these discrepancies adequately and demanded a thorough investigation. He argued that the integrity of the electoral process is under threat and that the public deserves transparency.
Gandhi’s remarks sparked a strong reaction from the BJP, with leaders dismissing the allegations as baseless and politically motivated. They accused him of attempting to undermine the democratic process and questioning the mandate given by the people. BJP representatives pointed to the Election Commission’s assurances regarding the security and reliability of EVMs.
The ADR report acknowledges that discrepancies can occur due to human error during the counting process, but the scale of the discrepancies highlighted in the report has raised concerns about the robustness of the electoral system. The report recommends stricter protocols for counting and reconciliation of votes to prevent future irregularities. The issue has reignited the debate surrounding the use of EVMs and the need for a verifiable paper audit trail.
