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Rahul Gandhi Urged to Submit Written Complaint on Maharashtra Election Rigging Claims
New Delhi, June 2, 2025 – In a significant development, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has publicly asked Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition, to submit a formal complaint if he truly believes the Maharashtra Assembly elections were “rigged” or “fixed.”
This statement comes after Rahul Gandhi made explosive claims in a recent op-ed, alleging “match-fixing” during the 2024 Maharashtra state elections and warning of similar patterns in upcoming elections like Bihar.
The EC clarified that it does not respond to political allegations made in media reports unless they are submitted through the official channels of the Commission.
“The Commission functions under Constitutional norms. If there are issues, the correct process is to submit a written complaint,” an EC official stated.
Read the original report by LiveMint
What Did Rahul Gandhi Claim?
In his article and public speeches, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Maharashtra Assembly elections held in November 2024 were not free and fair. According to him, the electoral process was manipulated in favor of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after the Lok Sabha elections, where the BJP faced setbacks.
He cited several irregularities:
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A mysterious increase of 41 lakh new voters added between the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.
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A sudden spike in voter turnout after 5 PM on polling day.
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Demands for the Election Commission to release machine-readable voter rolls and CCTV footage from the polling stations.
Gandhi claimed that the BJP is trying to subvert democracy and match-fix state elections to regain power.
Congress demands full disclosure of electoral rolls and CCTV footage
Election Commission Responds: “File a Written Complaint”
The ECI’s response was firm and detailed. In a statement, the Commission said that no formal complaint had been filed by the Congress party or Rahul Gandhi regarding these issues, despite opportunities.
“Congress was invited for a meeting with the Election Commission on May 15, but did not attend,” said the EC spokesperson.
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The ECI has emphasized that CCTV footage and machine-readable voter rolls are not public documents and can only be scrutinized via legal routes like election petitions.
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The Commission also stated that the allegations malign the credibility of election officers, many of whom were deputed by Congress-led state governments.
ECI calls Rahul Gandhi’s claims “completely absurd”
Why the EC Wants Written Complaints
The ECI’s constitutional mandate allows it to take legal or disciplinary action only when a formal complaint is registered. Public statements or media articles, no matter how serious, are not legally binding unless submitted through the correct process.
This insistence on procedure may be rooted in past cases where vague or informal accusations led to confusion and delayed justice.
“The democratic process must be protected through institutions, not headlines,” an EC insider told the press.
BJP Hits Back, Calls Allegations “Desperate”
Senior BJP leaders have dismissed Rahul Gandhi’s accusations as a “political stunt” to question the credibility of institutions after repeated electoral losses.
Devendra Fadnavis, Maharashtra’s Chief Minister, called the claims “delusional and disrespectful to voters.”
Meanwhile, BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya accused Gandhi of trying to “undermine democracy” using foreign-inspired narratives, saying he was following the “George Soros playbook.”
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Source: DNAIndiaNews
Congress Plans State-Wide Protests
Despite the EC’s rejection of the claims, Congress is not backing down. Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) chief Harshawardhan Sapkal announced that the party will hold massive protests across Maharashtra on June 12, demanding transparency and accountability.
He said that the Congress party will consider filing an official complaint, but wants the EC to first explain the voter roll surge and last-hour turnout spike.
“This is not a personal fight, it’s about saving democracy,” said Sapkal during a press briefing.
Expert Reactions: Polarized Views
For Rahul Gandhi:
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Political scientists say Rahul Gandhi is raising legitimate concerns about the integrity of elections in a digital age.
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The sudden voter surge post 5 PM and non-availability of CCTV are points that deserve public debate, even if not legally sufficient.
Against Rahul Gandhi:
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Constitutional experts argue that making allegations without formal proof harms institutional trust.
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They say election petitions, not press articles, are the correct legal route.
Upcoming Elections: Bihar on the Horizon
Rahul Gandhi’s remarks also include a warning about upcoming elections in Bihar. He alleged that if institutions are not held accountable, similar “rigging” may occur in future elections where the BJP faces defeat.
The Bihar Assembly elections are expected to take place later this year, and political observers believe this issue could dominate the campaign narrative.
Legal Remedies Available
Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party have access to multiple legal routes to challenge election results:
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File an election petition in the respective High Court.
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Submit a written complaint to the ECI requesting a probe.
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Request a judicial inquiry under the Representation of the People Act.
So far, none of these options have been formally exercised by the Congress party.
Conclusion
The Election Commission’s challenge to Rahul Gandhi to submit a formal complaint marks a turning point in the ongoing political standoff over Maharashtra’s 2024 election results.
The political future of electoral credibility, especially ahead of the Bihar Assembly polls, hinges on whether Gandhi follows procedure or continues to mount pressure through public discourse.
For now, the ball is in Congress’s court—and the country watches closely.
