New Delhi, June 26: India’s Election Commission said on Tuesday it had invited opposition leader Rahul Gandhi for a discussion on voter roll concerns nearly two weeks ago but had received no response, amid renewed allegations from the Congress party of irregularities in the Maharashtra Assembly election.
Gandhi, in a post on social media platform X, called for the immediate release of machine-readable digital voter rolls and CCTV footage from the recent state elections. He cited a media report claiming that Nagpur South West, the constituency of Maharashtra Chief Minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, had seen an 8% surge in voters — over 29,000 additions — within five months. Gandhi also alleged that some polling booths reported 20–50% increases, with Booth Level Officers (BLOs) raising concerns over unknown individuals casting votes.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) responded by saying that it had written to Gandhi on June 12, following similar concerns raised by Congress and its allies in a series of articles published on June 7.
“If you still have any issues, you are welcome to write to us. The Commission is also willing to meet you in person at a mutually convenient date and time,” the letter read, according to ECI sources.
The Chief Electoral Office in Maharashtra added that electoral rolls had already been shared with all recognised political parties, including the Indian National Congress, during the 2nd Special Summary Revision-2024, ahead of the Assembly polls. It noted that 1.9 million claims and objections had been received during the revision process, but only 89 appeals were filed against additions or deletions.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Fadnavis dismissed Gandhi’s allegations as a “bunch of lies”, saying more than 25 constituencies recorded voter growth of over 8% between the national and state elections, many of which were won by Congress or its allies. He cited examples such as west Nagpur and north Nagpur, both Congress-held, which saw 7–11% increases.
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also criticised Gandhi, suggesting the allegations were being repeated in frustration over the party’s poor electoral performance in the state.
