New Delhi:
The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Haryana has written to Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, asking him to submit a formal written complaint, affidavit, and documentary evidence to support his serious allegations of large-scale electoral fraud in the state.
The move follows Gandhi’s dramatic press conference on Wednesday, where he unveiled what he called the “H-Files”, alleging a massive manipulation of voter lists and terming it a “systematic theft of democracy.”
Key Allegations by Rahul Gandhi
- “H-Files” Revelation:
Rahul Gandhi claimed that an internal Congress probe had uncovered evidence of around 25 lakh fake or duplicate votes — roughly 12.5% of Haryana’s total electorate — being fraudulently added to the voter rolls during the recent Assembly elections. - “Operation Sarkari Chor” Accusation:
He alleged that the ruling party and officials of the Election Commission were complicit in what he termed “Operation Sarkari Chor” (“Government Thief Operation”), designed to manipulate electoral rolls and overturn the Congress’s projected victory. - Unusual Voter Entries:
Gandhi cited examples of bogus voter records, including the same Brazilian model’s photograph being used under multiple Indian names — Seema, Sweety, and Saraswati — registered across several booths in one constituency.
He also pointed to numerous entries under ‘House Number 0’, which he claimed enabled large-scale, untraceable voter duplication.
Commission’s Response
The Haryana Chief Electoral Officer has formally asked Rahul Gandhi to submit a signed affidavit and verifiable documents if he wishes to pursue his allegations legally.
“For the Election Commission to initiate action, any allegations of voter list manipulation must be submitted in writing, supported by documentary proof and sworn statements,” said an official communication from the CEO’s office.
The Commission reiterated that it follows a transparent and multi-level verification process, including Booth Level Agent (BLA) scrutiny and public display of draft rolls, and that no official objections were raised by Congress representatives during these stages.
⚖️ Political Reactions
- Election Commission of India (ECI):
ECI sources described Gandhi’s claims as “baseless and politically motivated,” emphasizing that the Congress had ample opportunity to flag discrepancies during the regular revision of rolls. - Ruling Party (BJP):
The BJP dismissed the allegations as a “desperate attempt to question the voters’ mandate”, accusing Gandhi of undermining public faith in democratic institutions. - Congress:
In response, Congress spokespersons defended Gandhi’s stand, asserting that the scale and coordination of the alleged fraud indicate institutional collusion. They argued that the “H-Files” expose a deep-rooted subversion of electoral integrity and called for an independent judicial probe.
Background
The controversy erupted days after the announcement of the Haryana Assembly election results, where the ruling BJP-JJP alliance managed to retain power despite what Congress leaders claimed was a clear swing in their favor.
Rahul Gandhi’s allegations — involving what he called “vote chori” (vote theft) — have reignited debate over the credibility of India’s voter registration system and digital verification mechanisms.
The Haryana Election Commission has stated that any further action will depend on the submission of formal, verifiable evidence by the Congress leader.
Until then, the Commission maintains that the electoral process in Haryana was free, fair, and transparent.
