The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a stern ultimatum to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, asking him to either sign official declarations affirming his claims of voter fraud or issue a public apology for what it described as “absurd allegations.” According to ECI sources, Gandhi has two clear choices: endorse his claims with formal documentation or withdraw them with an apology to the nation.

The controversy stems from Rahul Gandhi’s recent press conference, during which he alleged the existence of over 1,00,250 “fake votes” in the Mahadevapura Assembly segment, a part of the Bangalore Central Lok Sabha constituency in Karnataka. He suggested that these alleged fake votes were engineered to favor the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

In response, the Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) of both Karnataka and Maharashtra have sent strongly worded letters to Gandhi, urging him to submit signed affidavits under Rule 20(3)(b) of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960. These affidavits would require him to provide specific names and evidence supporting his accusations, allowing the ECI to initiate legal proceedings if warranted.

“If Mr. Gandhi truly believes in his analysis and the veracity of his allegations, he should have no hesitation in signing the declaration,” said an ECI official. “However, if he refrains from doing so, it would imply he lacks confidence in his own claims. In that case, he should apologise to the nation for misleading the public with baseless accusations.”

The Maharashtra CEO also addressed Gandhi’s earlier claim of voter fraud during the 2024 Assembly elections, requesting similar documentary evidence and emphasizing that the electoral rolls were prepared and shared transparently. “The draft and final electoral rolls were shared with the Congress party in August and September 2024, and no objections or appeals were filed by them at the time,” the CEO added.

The ECI has reiterated that India’s electoral system operates with integrity and transparency and warned against public figures making unsubstantiated claims that could undermine public trust in democratic institutions.