‘Vote chori’ row: Why INDIA bloc is going after Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar

The war of words has intensified between the opposition and the Election Commission of India (ECI) over ‘vote theft’ charges. In a press conference on Sunday (August 17), the poll body dismissed allegations of election rigging by the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, saying it stands like a “rock behind the Indian voters”.

Now, there are reports that the opposition INDIA bloc could move an impeachment motion against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. This comes as the Congress and other opposition parties have upped the ante against the Election Commission over alleged vote chori (theft).

Let’s take a closer look.

What is ‘vote chori’?

Earlier this month, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi made serious charges of vote theft in the Mahadevapura Assembly seat under the Bangalore Central Lok Sabha constituency in the 2024 general elections.

On August 7, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha claimed that 1,00,250 “fake votes” were created in the Mahadevapura Assembly constituency to ensure the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) victory.

Accusing the Election Commission of “criminal fraud” and colluding with the saffron party, Gandhi listed out five ways through which “vote chori” was carried out.

Citing the Congress’ analysis of the Bangalore Central seat, which Gandhi said was among the party’s “unexpected” losses, the Rae Bareli MP said it found in the Mahadevapura Assembly seat, there were 11,965 “duplicate” voters, 40,009 voters with “fake and invalid” addresses, 10,452 “bulk voters or single address” voters, 4,132 voters with “invalid” photos, and 33,692 voters who “misused” Form 6, meant for new electors.

Gandhi claimed the Congress’ monthslong investigation discovered that nearly 1,00,250 votes were “stolen” in the Mahadevapura Assembly seat.

The Congress MP pointed out that voter list addresses included “Street 0” and “House no. 0.” He claimed there were cases where as many as 80 voters had one address, or 50 were shown living in a single one-bedroom house.

Since Gandhi’s ‘vote chori’ claims, several opposition leaders have flagged issues about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar .

BJP, EC rubbish Congress’ ‘vote chori’ claims

The BJP and the Election Commission have rejected Rahul Gandhi’s allegations of ‘vote chori’.

Former Union Minister Anurag Thakur claimed irregularities in voter registration in the Rae Bareli, Wayanad, Diamond Harbour, and Kannauj parliamentary seats, accusing opposition MPs of winning these constituencies with “vote chori”.

Denying Gandhi’s allegations, the Election Commission has asked him to submit his evidence under oath.

Addressing a press conference on Sunday, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar gave a seven-day ultimatum to the Congress MP to provide a signed affidavit to back his claims, or apologise.

“Either give an affidavit under oath or apologise to the nation. If the affidavit is not received within seven days, it means that all these allegations are baseless,” he said.

Kumar added that using such “improper words” like ‘vote chori’ amounts to insulting the Constitution.

The CEC, however, admitted that there could be discrepancies in the electoral rolls and asserted that SIR could help correct this.

Kumar also claimed that if a person’s name is present in several voter lists, it does not automatically imply that they voted multiple times.

After the poll body’s press conference, the Congress accused the CEC of not actually replying to any of the questions raised by Gandhi. It also termed Kumar’s remarks that the Election Commission did not differentiate between the opposition and the ruling party as “laughable”.

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Will INDIA bloc move impeachment motion against CEC?

The INDIA bloc is considering moving an impeachment motion against CEC Gyanesh Kumar, sources told The Hindu. The call was taken at the meeting of the INDIA bloc floor leaders on Monday (August 18).

As per the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, the CEC can be removed in the same manner and grounds as a Supreme Court Judge.

For this, a motion has to be passed in Parliament with a two-thirds majority in both Houses. The grounds of removing a CEC are “proved misbehaviour or incapacity”.

If it moves ahead with its plan, the opposition will need the signature of at least 50 members in favour of the motion. However, it has to be noted that the INDIA bloc does not have the required numbers to get the impeachment motion passed in Parliament.

Congress Rajya Sabha MP Syed Naseer Hussain told ANI that the party is prepared to use all democratic tools, including an impeachment motion, if needed.

“If there is a need, we will use all the weapons of democracy under the rules. We have not had any discussions (about impeachment) as of now, but if needed, we can do anything," Hussain said.

Meanwhile, the Gandhi-led opposition has launched the ‘Vote Adhikar Yatra’ in Bihar and increased its attack against the EC’s exercise of the SIR of electoral rolls in the poll-bound state.

This Yatra will span 1,300 km across 20 districts of Bihar.

With inputs from agencies