Rahul Gandhi Rejects EC’s Affidavit Demand, Cites Oath Taken in Parliament

Congress MP and the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has pushed back against the Election Commission of India's (ECI) request for an affidavit to support his allegations of voter fraud in Karnataka, saying he has already taken an oath of the Constitution in Parliament.

Speaking in Bengaluru on Friday during the 'Vote Adhikar Rally' alongside Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar, Rahul said, "The Election Commission demands an affidavit from me. It says that I must take an oath. I have already taken the oath of the Constitution in Parliament."

He also raised concerns over transparency in the functioning of the ECI, alleging that the poll body has shut down its website when citizens are demanding answers. "The Election Commission knows that if the public starts questioning them, their entire structure will collapse," he remarked.

Background of the Row

A day ago, Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP and the Election Commission of collusion and called it a "huge criminal fraud" involving the Karnataka voter list.

Following his remarks, Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) V. Anbu Kumar formally asked him to submit a signed declaration with evidence to substantiate his claims. Kumar said appropriate action would follow if the allegations were proven.

The CEO's letter, issued under Rule 20(3)(b) of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, directed Rahul to provide specific details such as the names, part numbers, and serial numbers of voters allegedly wrongly included or excluded from Karnataka's electoral rolls. The letter, along with the declaration format, was also posted on the CEO's social media handles.

Legal Provisions Cited by the EC

Kumar noted that under the rules, "The registration officer may in his discretion - (a) require any claimant, objector or person objected to, to appear in person before him; (b) require that the evidence tendered by any person shall be given on oath and administer an oath for the purpose."

The enclosed declaration format read:

"I, Rahul Gandhi, Member of Parliament, do hereby solemnly affirm and state on oath the statement I am about to make under Rule 20 of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 concerning... is true to the best of my knowledge (sic)." The notice also warned that false statements would invite legal consequences.