Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of protecting “vote chors,” citing Karnataka CID’s unanswered letters to the Election Commission as proof.

New Delhi: Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi intensified his attack on the Election Commission on Thursday, alleging that Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar has been “safeguarding vote thieves.” Gandhi said he has “absolute, solid proof” to back his claim, linking it to what he called deliberate inaction by the poll body.

According to Gandhi, the Karnataka Crime Investigation Department (CID) wrote 18 letters over 18 months to the Election Commission, seeking basic clarifications on specific electoral issues. Despite repeated requests, he alleged, the Commission failed to respond, raising suspicion of bias in favor of the ruling BJP.

Framing this as a larger pattern, Gandhi reiterated his long-standing accusation that the BJP has been engaging in “vote theft” and manipulating electoral processes. He described the lack of response from the poll body as a “serious breach of trust in democratic institutions.”

Local Impact 
Such allegations, if sustained, could deepen public mistrust in India’s electoral machinery at a time when transparency and accountability are crucial for voter confidence. Analysts point out that accusations of bias against the Election Commission are not new, but Rahul Gandhi’s remarks highlight the need for institutional reforms and independent oversight. For citizens, experts recommend closer civic engagement—such as monitoring electoral rolls and participating actively in public consultations—to safeguard democratic processes.