Rahul warned the EC against any “retroactive action” that could influence the integrity of the results, calling it a threat to democratic fairness.
BY PC Bureau
December 9, 2025: Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday turned the Lok Sabha into a stage for one of his sharpest attacks yet on the Election Commission’s “impartiality”, demanding a return to paper ballots and accusing the BJP government of systematically eroding electoral integrity.
Speaking during the debate on electoral reforms, Gandhi accused the EC of functioning “at the behest of the BJP”, framing electoral manipulation as an “anti-national act”. He said opposition parties were united in mistrust of the current system, pointing out that many—including the YSRCP—have demanded a return to paper ballot.
He accused the RSS of attempting “wholesale capture” of institutions ranging from the Election Commission to investigative agencies, and said the EC was the “first institution to fall”. Highlighting the alleged “vote chori” in Haryana and duplicate voter images in Bihar, he reiterated that the ECI was “colluding with those in power”.
Gandhi integrated the Opposition’s broader charge—that the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls was being misused for deletions rather than verification. He claimed there were “huge mistrust and lack of transparency” in the SIR, echoing Manish Tewari and TMC MPs who had earlier argued that the EC does not even have the power to conduct a nationwide SIR.
Key Points from Rahul’s Attack
- Haryana “stolen” polls: Gandhi repeated claims that the 2024 Assembly election saw widespread irregularities. He cited the case of a “Brazilian woman” appearing 22 times on a single booth’s rolls and another voter listed 200 times.
- Bihar SIR: He alleged that even after the Special Intensive Revision, 1.2 lakh duplicate photographs remained on voter lists.
- Legal changes weakening ECI: Gandhi slammed the removal of the CJI from the EC selection panel and reducing CCTV retention at polling stations to 45 days.
- Warning to ECI officials: “We will come and find you,” he said, promising to reverse these laws retroactively if the opposition returns to power.
READ: Amit Shah slams Nehru for “tukde-tukde” of Vande Mataram
He proposed four reforms: machine-readable rolls, independent scrutiny of EVMs, restoring ECI autonomy, and strict oversight of SIR revisions.
Frequent interruptions from the treasury benches forced Gandhi to remind the Speaker, “I am not being allowed to speak.” The House descended into shouting, prompting an adjournment till Wednesday.
Gandhi also endorsed Opposition calls for paper ballots, though he kept his own demand limited to “full access to EVM architecture”. His questions to the government were sharp:
- Why was the CJI removed from the selection panel for choosing the CEC and ECs?
- Why was immunity granted to Election Commissioners in the 2023 law?
- Why was CCTV footage retention cut to 45 days?
-
The biggest anti-national act you can do is Vote Chori.
Because when you destroy the vote, you destroy the fabric of this country, you destroy modern India, you destroy the idea of India.
Those across the aisle are doing an anti national act.
: LoP Shri @RahulGandhi in… pic.twitter.com/C8JLCvgMEg
— Congress (@INCIndia) December 9, 2025
READ: DGCA Orders IndiGo to Cut 5% of Flights Amid Chaos
“What motivation could the Prime Minister and Amit Shah possibly have for wanting to choose exactly who the Election Commissioner will be?” Gandhi said. “This is not about data. This is about stealing the election.”
Rahul Gandhi went on to warn the EC, saying, ““Don’t worry. We are going to change the law. And we are going to change it retrospectively. And we are going to come and find you.”
As multiple Opposition MPs demanded paper ballots—including the SP, DMK, Shiv Sena (UBT), and YSRCP—Gandhi reiterated that only transparency can restore trust. He urged the government to hand over machine-readable voter lists a month before elections, revoke the CCTV rule change, and permit independent experts access to EVMs.
Interruptions from the Treasury benches repeatedly stalled his speech. Gandhi protested to the Speaker, saying, “I am not being allowed to speak,” before the House dissolved into uproar and adjourned.
Rajya Sabha Meltdown Over ‘Vande Mataram’
While the Lok Sabha battled over electoral credibility, the Rajya Sabha debate on Vande Mataram’s 150th anniversary spiralled into chaos after LoP Mallikarjun Kharge accused the BJP of using nationalism “selectively” ahead of elections. JP Nadda accused the Opposition of derailing the debate, snapping mid-speech as Kharge raised issues ranging from the economy to China.
The Chair ordered that “irrelevant portions” of Kharge’s remarks be deleted. Treasury benches erupted; Opposition MPs protested and later walked out.
AAP’s Sanjay Singh, DMK’s Tiruchi Siva, and TMC’s Sukhendu Sekhar Roy criticised the BJP’s attempt to “weaponise” the debate, while Amit Shah later defended Vande Mataram as a unifier for Viksit Bharat.
