“Vote Chori” Is the Gravest Anti-National Crime, Charges Rahul Gandhi in Lok Sabha

In the Lok Sabha debate on electoral reforms (under the umbrella of Special Intensive Revision, or SIR), Rahul Gandhi delivered a forceful indictment of what he called “vote-chori” (vote theft), declaring it the “biggest anti-national act.” He argued that undermining the sanctity of the ballot undermines the very foundation of modern India. Gandhi alleged that civic institutions — especially the Election Commission of India (ECI) — have been compromised, accusing them of colluding with the ruling party to manipulate electoral rolls and tamper with votes.

He pointed to examples of alleged irregularities, including what he described as bizarre anomalies in voter lists — such as a “Brazilian woman” reportedly appearing multiple times in the voter registry of a state — to highlight what he characterized as systemic failure. He questioned recent legal changes that permit destruction of election-related CCTV footage after 45 days, and criticised modifications to the appointment process of election commissioners which, he said, eroded institutional independence.

Gandhi warned that such tampering threatens to destroy not only individual votes but the very concept of democracy in India. He urged Parliament to safeguard the electoral process, calling for transparency, accountability, and reforms to ensure the credibility of future elections.

The remarks sparked heated exchanges in the House. Proponents of the ruling order rejected his charges, demanding evidence and accusing the opposition of undermining democratic institutions. Meanwhile, the debate resonated beyond Parliament — spotlighting the wider concerns around electoral integrity and institutional trust.