Rahul Gandhi Highlights Irregularities in Maharashtra Voter Registrations Ahead of Elections

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has raised concerns over alleged irregularities in Maharashtra's electoral process. He claims there are more registered voters than the state's adult population. Additionally, he noted a significant increase in voter registrations between the Lok Sabha and state elections, suggesting potential discrepancies. Gandhi, along with other opposition parties, is demanding centralised voter data from the Election Commission for upcoming elections.

The Election Commission has promised a detailed written response, outlining the procedures followed nationwide. During a joint press conference with Shiv Sena UBT's Sanjay Raut and NCP SP's Supriya Sule, Gandhi highlighted that many voters' names were either deleted or transferred before the assembly polls. He emphasised that these deletions predominantly affected Dalit, tribal, and minority communities.

Concerns Over Voter List Discrepancies

Gandhi pointed out that between the 2019 Vidhan Sabha elections and the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, 32 lakh voters were added to Maharashtra's rolls over five years. However, an additional 39 lakh voters were registered in just five months leading up to the 2024 Vidhan Sabha elections. This rapid increase raises questions about the authenticity of these new registrations.

Highlighting another issue, Gandhi mentioned that Maharashtra's adult population is 9.54 crore, yet the voter count for the assembly polls was 9.7 crore. This discrepancy suggests an inflated voter list, prompting questions about how these additional voters were accounted for.

Opposition Demands Transparency

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge has called for a consolidated voter list in Excel format with photographs to ensure transparency in the electoral process. He stressed the importance of maintaining trust in democracy and preventing any manipulation of the electoral system.

Gandhi also questioned why more voters were added after the Lok Sabha elections and who these 39 lakh individuals are. He noted that this number is equivalent to Himachal Pradesh's entire voter population, added within a short period.

Allegations of Favouritism

Gandhi alleged that most of the newly added voters favoured the BJP, as opposition parties maintained their vote share in assembly polls. He cited Kamthi constituency as an example where BJP's victory margin matched the number of new voters added.

The opposition parties have repeatedly requested voter lists from both Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections. Gandhi questioned why the Election Commission has not responded to these requests, suggesting potential issues with transparency.

Next Steps if EC Remains Unresponsive

If the Election Commission fails to address these concerns, Gandhi indicated that approaching the judiciary would be their next step. He emphasised that it's crucial for the EC to provide clarity on how these voter lists are managed and updated.

Gandhi criticised the dynamic nature of the voter list, stating it allows for constant changes without proper oversight. He urged the EC to clarify its role and ensure transparency in handling electoral data.

Opposition Leaders Demand Accountability

Sanjay Raut remarked that if the EC remains silent on these issues, it could be perceived as being under government influence. Supriya Sule shared her experience of election-related challenges in Malshiras constituency, where police intervention halted a re-election demand.

The Congress Empowered Action Group of Leaders and Experts (EAGLE) has formally requested digital copies of final electoral photo rolls for both Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha 2024 elections from Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar.

The Congress, Shiv Sena UBT, and NCP Sharad Pawar have consistently raised concerns about irregularities in last year's polls where BJP-led Mahayuti secured a significant victory.