File Affidavit in Seven Days or Apologise: ECI Ultimatum on Rahul Gandhi’s Karnataka Vote Theft Allegations
New Delhi, August 17, 2025 (TheTrendingPeople.com) — The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a sharp ultimatum to Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, demanding that he either submit a signed affidavit within seven days to substantiate his allegations of voter roll manipulation in Karnataka or apologise to the nation.
The warning came during Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s first press conference since assuming office, where he strongly rejected Opposition calls for more transparency, including demands for machine-readable voter rolls and CCTV footage of polling stations.
CEC Hits Back at “Vote Theft” Charge
Without naming Gandhi directly, the CEC said:
“You have to give an affidavit or apologise to the nation. If within seven days affidavit is not given, then it means allegations are wrong.”
He dismissed Gandhi’s claims as baseless, pointing out that no affidavit had been submitted despite repeated requests from the Chief Electoral Officers of Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Haryana.
The row began after Rahul Gandhi alleged large-scale discrepancies in the Mahadevapura Assembly voter rolls, part of the Bangalore Central constituency, which the BJP won in the 2024 general election.
Opposition Protests, But ECI Stands Firm
The CEC questioned the logic of the allegations, saying:
“If accusations are made against 1,50,000 people, then should all these voters be given notices without any evidence?”
Mr. Kumar also argued that India’s electoral process is “too transparent” for vote theft to occur, citing the involvement of over one crore election staff across the country.
However, when asked why BJP MP Anurag Thakur, who made similar claims about voter roll issues in Rae Bareli (Rahul Gandhi’s own constituency), was not required to file an affidavit, the CEC declined to answer.
45-Day Rule: ECI’s Legal Argument
The Commission clarified that:
- Complaints must be filed under oath.
- Election petitions must be submitted in High Courts within 45 days of poll results.
- Allegations raised outside this time frame amount to “an insult to the Constitution.”
Mr. Kumar argued that Opposition leaders like Akhilesh Yadav (Samajwadi Party) and the Biju Janata Dal in Odisha also failed to file complaints within the legal deadline.
“Sun rises in the east and it will not rise in the west just because someone says so,” the CEC remarked, taking aim at repeated Opposition claims about alleged irregularities.
Privacy vs Transparency Debate
On refusing machine-readable voter rolls and CCTV access, the CEC said the measures would violate voter privacy.
Opposition leaders, however, insist that these reforms are essential to restore public trust in elections, particularly after the contentious 2024 general polls.
Why This Matters
- For Rahul Gandhi: The ultimatum is a direct challenge to back his allegations with evidence or face political embarrassment.
- For ECI: The credibility of the Commission is under scrutiny, with critics alleging selective enforcement of rules.
- For Voters: The row highlights the growing tension between demands for electoral transparency and constitutional limits on complaints.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople.com
The ECI’s ultimatum to Rahul Gandhi marks a decisive escalation in India’s electoral controversy. With just seven days to either produce an affidavit or backtrack, the Congress leader faces a political crossroads.
Whether this moment strengthens institutional credibility or deepens public mistrust may depend on how both sides — the ECI and the Opposition — choose to act in the coming week.