Rahul Gandhi demands digital voter rolls for Maharashtra Assembly polls, alleges ‘vote theft’

Alleging that “vote theft” took place in the Maharashtra Assembly elections held in November, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday demanded the immediate release of machine-readable digital voter rolls and CCTV footage.

The leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha made the statements after a Newslaundry report, which said that Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ constituency saw an 8% increase in voters between the Lok Sabha elections, held in May and June 2024, and the Assembly polls.

“Some booths saw 20-25% surge [in number of voters],” said Gandhi.

He questioned whether the poll body is “silent or complicit” in this alleged “vote theft”. “The cover-up is the confession,” he added.

In Maharashtra CM’s own constituency, the voter list grew by 8% in just 5 months.

Some booths saw a 20-50% surge.

BLOs reported unknown individuals casting votes.

Media uncovered thousands of voters with no verified address.

And the EC? Silent - or complicit.

These aren’t… pic.twitter.com/32q9dflfB9— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 24, 2025

The Bharatiya Janata Party-led Mahayuti alliance had defeated the Maha Vikas Aghadi, which includes the Congress, in the Assembly polls.

Gandhi has consistently been demanding access to voter lists, polling data and election footage, alleging irregularities in the elections.

His statements on Tuesday came days after the Election Commission wrote to him, saying all polls are held by it strictly as per laws passed by Parliament and rules, The Hindu reported.

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