Aug 8, 2025: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, in a press conference today, made serious allegations against the Election Commission, claiming large-scale voter fraud is taking place across several states, including Maharashtra.
He said the entire electoral process is being compromised, with lakhs of bogus entries in the voter lists. The press conference, held amid growing political heat, has stirred significant debate in political circles, especially in urban regions like Pune where election-related concerns remain high.
According to Gandhi, the manipulation is happening in five major ways, based on data collected by his team. He claimed that 11,965 bogus voter names were found registered in multiple constituencies within a single state. These individuals, he alleged, have voted in different states, clearly indicating manipulation of the voter database.
He also pointed out that many of these entries have fake addresses, some of which include house numbers listed as 'zero', raising serious questions about the accuracy and transparency of voter verification processes. Furthermore, in some cases, up to 50–60 voters were shown living at the same address, while only 4–5 people actually resided there.
Rahul Gandhi accused the system of allowing duplicate voter names, fake personal details, and unverifiable photographs to remain on the lists. He also highlighted the misuse of Form 6, a document used for voter registration, as a key tool in this alleged manipulation.
He stressed that these malpractices are not isolated but are widespread and systematic. Gandhi demanded urgent corrective action by the Election Commission and called for reforms to restore faith in India’s democratic process.
The allegations come at a time when confidence in the electoral system is already under public scrutiny. Pune, as one of Maharashtra’s largest urban centres, plays a crucial role during elections, and any issues with the voter list could significantly impact electoral outcomes.
