‘No Vote Can Be Deleted Online’: EC Counters Rahul Gandhi’s Claims

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday reiterated its stance on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's "vote chori" claims in Karnataka's Aland constituency, categorically stating that "no deletion of any vote can be done online."

The ECI clarified that although electors of a constituency are allowed to file Form 7 online to request the deletion of an entry from the electoral roll, this does not lead to automatic removal of votes. "Merely submitting Form 7 online does not mean that the entry gets deleted," the Commission emphasized in its official statement.

The controversy erupted after Rahul Gandhi alleged large-scale deletion of votes in the Aland assembly constituency. In response, the Commission presented verified figures to counter the claim. According to the ECI, a total of 6,018 applications for vote deletion were submitted online in Aland. However, upon scrutiny, only 24 of those applications were found to be genuine.

By highlighting these numbers, the poll body sought to assure voters that robust verification processes prevent arbitrary or fraudulent deletions from electoral rolls. The Commission stressed that every application undergoes due diligence before any changes are made to voter lists.

This fresh statement from the Election Commission comes as part of its ongoing effort to address allegations surrounding voter roll manipulation. The poll body has consistently maintained that India's electoral process remains secure, transparent, and subject to multiple checks.

The issue also underscores the growing scrutiny of electoral practices ahead of upcoming elections, with political parties frequently raising questions about the fairness of voter registration and deletion processes. While Rahul Gandhi has continued to allege malpractice, the ECI has sought to dispel doubts by providing data-backed clarifications.

Reiterating its position, the ECI assured citizens that all applications, whether online or offline, go through strict verification. "Deletion of votes is a carefully monitored process and cannot be carried out simply through online submissions," it stated.

With the controversy around Aland continuing to draw political attention, the Commission's latest clarification aims to restore public confidence in the credibility of electoral rolls and the integrity of the democratic process.