Members of the INDIA bloc on Monday, a coalition of opposition parties, staged a protest to draw attention to what they termed 'vote chori' (vote theft) and alleged flaws in the voter lists.
The protest, which included a march toward the Election Commission of India (ECI) headquarters, was sparked by a data-backed presentation by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who highlighted significant discrepancies in the ECI's own data from the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
During the demonstration, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor criticised the ECI for what he called its 'evasiveness.' In a post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Tharoor questioned the commission's handling of the serious concerns raised by Rahul Gandhi. He pointed out that instead of providing substantive answers, the ECI had insisted on procedural formalities, such as requiring an oath and an affidavit from Gandhi. Tharoor emphasised the irony of this demand, stating that the data in question was sourced from the ECI's own records.
Tharoor argued that it was in the ECI's own best interest to address these questions directly and transparently. He wrote, "It is very much in the interest of the Election Commission to dispel the doubts that have arisen in voters’ minds about the integrity and the credibility of the electoral process." He further suggested that the alleged flaws could be "easily addressed" and that clear answers could 'set rest any fears of voting-list manipulation.' He concluded his post by stating, "The nation is truly entitled to a response."
Speaking to the media at the protest site, Tharoor reiterated this sentiment, stating that the ECI's credibility depended on its willingness to engage with these issues.
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The Opposition members repeatedly demanded during the protest march that the Election Commission of India's (ECI) data inconsistencies be publicly explained in order to preserve trust in India's democratic system. They contended that the procedural response from the ECI was an attempt to sidestep dealing with the fundamental problems.
The ECI defended its fairness and proper procedures, saying that before any claims could be made public, an affidavit was needed to officially confirm them. In an argument with the Delhi Police happened because the protest got worse all day.
Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and Akhilesh Yadav were some of the prominent leaders who were taken into custody. Some female MPs, like Trinamool Congress members Mahua Moitra and Mitali Baug, reportedly fainted during the protest, which caused the situation to get out of control. Following the general elections in 2024, the events highlighted the severe tensions and deep divisions surrounding the integrity of the electoral process.
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