During his recent address to the Indian diaspora in Boston, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, leveled serious allegations against the Election Commission of India (ECI), claiming that the electoral body was “compromised” and that there was “something very wrong with the system.”​

Gandhi’s remarks centered on the Maharashtra assembly elections, where he alleged that 65 lakh new voters were added to the electoral rolls within a mere two-hour window between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. He described this as “physically impossible,” suggesting that more people voted than the total number of people in Maharashtra. He further criticized the ECI for not providing the voter list, stating, “It is their job to bring about transparency.”​
Reuters

In response, the Election Commission issued a statement indicating that it would provide a detailed written reply to these allegations. The ECI emphasized its commitment to transparency and fairness, noting that it had shared extensive voter data with the Congress party, including booth-wise details and information on claims and objections related to the electoral rolls.​

The controversy over the Maharashtra voter lists has intensified following the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) significant victory in the state assembly elections, securing 132 out of 288 seats. Opposition parties, including the Congress, have questioned the integrity of the election process, citing the rapid increase in voter numbers and the perceived lack of scrutiny over the electoral rolls.​

The Election Commission has reiterated that the additions to the voter list were in line with the usual population growth and that the data was made available to all political parties. However, opposition leaders remain unconvinced, and discussions continue regarding the transparency and accuracy of the electoral process in Maharashtra.​
The Times of India

As the debate unfolds, the focus remains on ensuring the credibility of the electoral system and addressing concerns raised by various political stakeholders.