Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on November 1, 2026, alleged that the 2024 Lok Sabha election was “stolen”, accusing the Election Commission of India (ECI) of facilitating electoral manipulation through electronic voting machines (EVMs) and changes to electoral rolls.
Addressing the INDIA bloc’s rally at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi, Gandhi claimed that around 15% of India’s adult population had been removed from voter lists, questioning the integrity of the electoral process. He cited alleged irregularities in Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Karnataka, alongside the 2024 general election.
The rally, organised to protest against alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, also saw opposition leaders demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. However, the Election Commission has maintained that the revision exercise aims to identify deceased, duplicate, shifted and otherwise ineligible entries, rejecting allegations of politically motivated deletions.
Allegations Of Vote Theft
Addressing supporters at Ramlila Maidan, Gandhi accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Election Commission of undermining the democratic process. He argued that the removal of large numbers of names from electoral rolls raised serious questions about whether eligible citizens could exercise their constitutional right to vote. Referring to the scale of the deletions, Gandhi questioned how an election could be considered fair if millions of people were subsequently identified as absent, shifted, deceased or otherwise ineligible during the revision of voter lists.
Gandhi alleged that electoral manipulation was not limited to a single state or election. He referred to Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Karnataka, claiming that irregularities involving voter lists and EVMs had affected electoral outcomes. He maintained that the Opposition’s campaign was aimed at protecting democratic institutions rather than securing an advantage for any individual political party. Gandhi also targeted Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, demanding accountability for the alleged irregularities and asserting that those responsible would face consequences.
However, his allegations regarding the manipulation of elections have not been independently established, and the claims do not, by themselves, establish that the 2024 Lok Sabha election was invalid.
Voter Roll Revision Row
The rally comes amid an escalating political confrontation over the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The exercise, intended to verify voter records and improve the accuracy of electoral lists, has become a major point of contention between the Opposition and the poll body. Opposition parties have alleged that large-scale deletions risk excluding eligible citizens, particularly vulnerable communities, from the electoral process. They have also questioned the transparency of the revision and demanded greater accountability from election authorities.
The Election Commission, however, has defended the process, maintaining that electoral rolls must accurately reflect eligible voters and exclude duplicate or otherwise ineligible entries. During the nationwide revision, approximately 13.39 crore entries were classified under categories covering absent, shifted, deceased and duplicate electors, along with certain other cases. These classifications do not automatically establish that all the individuals concerned were eligible voters wrongly removed from the rolls, or that their names had been improperly included during the 2024 general election. The distinction is important because the number of entries identified during a subsequent revision cannot, on its own, demonstrate that an earlier election was manipulated.
The BJP has also criticised the Opposition’s allegations, accusing its leaders of questioning legitimate electoral procedures. Meanwhile, the INDIA bloc has continued to demand the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar and greater scrutiny of the revision exercise. The controversy has also reached the Supreme Court, which has sought responses from the Election Commission and senior election officials on petitions challenging alleged irregularities in the voter-roll revision. The proceedings have brought renewed attention to the need for transparent verification procedures, effective grievance redressal and safeguards against the wrongful exclusion of eligible voters.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Free and fair elections are fundamental to a functioning democracy, and every eligible citizen must have a meaningful opportunity to exercise their right to vote. Allegations of wrongful voter deletions, manipulation of electoral rolls or irregularities in voting systems deserve serious consideration, particularly when they concern the integrity of democratic institutions.
At the same time, claims that an election was stolen must be supported by verifiable evidence, transparent investigations and established legal procedures rather than political assertions alone. The Election Commission has a responsibility to explain its decisions clearly, address legitimate grievances and ensure that eligible voters are not unfairly excluded. Political parties, too, must present evidence responsibly and avoid language that could deepen public distrust without establishing the facts.
Ultimately, the issue should transcend party politics: protecting electoral integrity requires accountability, institutional independence and constructive dialogue among all stakeholders. Citizens must be able to trust that their votes count and that concerns about the electoral process will be addressed fairly. How can India strengthen public trust in its elections while ensuring that every eligible citizen’s right to vote is protected?
Also Read: ‘Congress Should Apologise For 1984’: BJP’s Nitin Nabin Slams Party As INDIA Bloc Holds Delhi Rally
“The 2024 election was a stolen election” : Rahul Gandhi alleges at the INDIA bloc’s Ramlila Maidan rally Claiming 15% of India’s voters were removed from electoral rolls after 2024, he says Election Commission data supports his charge Alleges vote theft through EVMs and additions and deletions in voter lists in Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and 2024 Lok Sabha polls
— Nabila Jamal (@nabilajamal_) November 1, 2026
