INDIA Bloc Demands EC Certify Voter List Integrity Before Compliance, Escalates Pressure in Joint Presser

In a dramatic escalation of its confrontation with the Election Commission of India (ECI), the opposition-led INDIA bloc has demanded that the poll body first affirm the integrity of the national voter list before expecting compliance with its directives. At a joint press conference held at the Constitution Club of India in New Delhi, senior leaders from Congress, Trinamool Congress (TMC), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Samajwadi Party (SP), and Shiv Sena (UBT) accused the ECI of misconduct, bias, and procedural irregularities in recent elections.

The press conference comes amid growing tensions over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar and allegations of voter list manipulation in Maharashtra and Karnataka. The INDIA bloc’s demand for an affidavit from the ECI certifying the voter list as clean is a direct response to the Commission’s ultimatum to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, asking him to submit a signed affidavit backing his “vote chori” claims or retract them.

🗣️ Key Demands from the INDIA Bloc

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi stated, “The EC must first provide an affidavit that the voter list is clean, then we’ll comply. They are silent on voter additions in Maharashtra, discrepancies in Mahadevapura, and deletion of video data.” He further alleged that the EC is “in the hands of officers who are taking sides.”

TMC MP Mahua Moitra echoed the sentiment, saying, “West Bengal CM raised the issue of duplicate EPIC voter cards, but the issue remains unresolved. Action should be taken against past ECs for fraudulent voter lists. Dissolve Lok Sabha immediately.”

🔍 Background: EC’s Ultimatum to Rahul Gandhi

The controversy began when Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar issued a seven-day ultimatum to Rahul Gandhi, asking him to either submit a signed affidavit supporting his allegations of voter list manipulation or withdraw them. The EC warned that failure to comply would render the allegations baseless.

Congress leaders responded by demanding that the EC first submit its own affidavit confirming the voter list’s cleanliness. “If the EC gives an affidavit, we are also prepared to give ours. They must show their papers first,” said Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera during the Voter Adhikar Yatra in Bihar.

🧭 Alleged Irregularities in Voter Lists

Opposition parties have cited multiple instances of voter list discrepancies:

• In Maharashtra, 70 lakh new voters were added between the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections without clear explanation.
• In Karnataka’s Mahadevapura constituency, opposition leaders claim voter rolls were manipulated.
• In Bihar, the SIR process allegedly removed 65 lakh voters without clarifying additions.

Kanhaiya Kumar, speaking at the press conference, said, “The EC itself is saying there is something wrong in the voter list, which means it was lying before. Dead people are still on the rolls, while living voters are missing.”

🛡️ INDIA Bloc’s Broader Strategy

The INDIA bloc’s coordinated attack on the EC is part of a larger campaign to challenge the credibility of electoral institutions ahead of the 2026 general elections. Leaders have accused the EC of acting like a “BJP spokesperson” and failing to uphold democratic norms.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Arvind Sawant said, “The whimsical behaviour of the CEC made it seem like he was acting as a BJP spokesperson.” The bloc is also demanding reforms in the electoral process, including transparency in voter data and accountability for booth-level officers (BLOs).

📊 Public Sentiment and Political Fallout

The INDIA bloc’s press conference has sparked widespread debate across media platforms. Hashtags like #VoteChori, #ECAccountability, and #INDIABlocVsEC are trending on social media. While BJP leaders have dismissed the allegations as “desperate theatrics,” opposition supporters view the move as a bold stand for electoral integrity.

Political analysts suggest that the bloc’s aggressive posture could resonate with voters concerned about democratic erosion. However, the EC’s next steps—whether it responds with its own affidavit or escalates the confrontation—will be crucial in shaping public perception.

🧠 Expert Opinions

Electoral experts have weighed in on the controversy, urging both sides to prioritize transparency and democratic norms. Dr. S.Y. Quraishi, former Chief Election Commissioner, said, “The EC must maintain neutrality and respond to legitimate concerns with clarity and data.”

Others argue that the demand for a machine-readable voter list is reasonable and could enhance public trust. “Digital transparency is the future of electoral integrity,” said Prof. Radhika Roy, a political scientist at JNU.

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Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available statements and news reports. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not reflect any political or institutional bias.