New Delhi, June 8, 2025 – The Election Commission of India (EC) has urged Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi to formally approach it with written communication if he wishes to pursue allegations of election tampering in Maharashtra. The response came amid a heated exchange over Gandhi’s claim of “match‑fixing” in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly polls.
EC Calls for Formal Complaint
EC sources have clarified that it can issue formal responses only after receiving a direct written complaint. They pointed out that in mid-May, the Commission invited six national parties for meetings—five attended, but the Congress skipped the session scheduled on May 15 (newsarenaindia.com, m.economictimes.com).
According to officials, the EC drafted an initial response on December 24, 2024, dismissing the allegations and making the same available on its website. Since then, Gandhi has neither submitted any formal complaint nor requested a meeting, despite increasing media attention (ndtv.com).
EC Defends Record and Staff
EC officials branded Gandhi’s accusations as “unsubstantiated” and “completely absurd,” asserting that such claims damage the institution’s credibility, demoralize electoral staff, and disrespect the rule of law (m.economictimes.com).
They stressed that booth-level officers, polling personnel, and counting supervisors—many appointed by Gandhi’s own MPs—took pride in upholding electoral integrity and felt insulted by the allegations (hindustantimes.com).
Gandhi Demands Greater Transparency
In his critique, Rahul Gandhi criticized the EC for releasing "unsigned, evasive notes" and demanded it to publish digital, machine-readable voter rolls and post‑5 pm CCTV footage from polling stations, framing such transparency as vital to truth and credibility (m.economictimes.com).
He tweeted:
“Dear EC, you are a Constitutional body. Releasing unsigned, evasive notes to intermediaries is not the way to respond to serious questions... If you have nothing to hide, answer the questions in my article and prove it by…” (m.economictimes.com).
EC Emphasizes Legal Channels and Privacy
The EC reiterated that any concerned party can seek verification of polling booth recordings through election petitions filed in higher courts. It also highlighted that the commission must balance transparency with voter privacy, noting that CCTV footage is accessible only through judicial channels (outlookindia.com).
Officials questioned Gandhi’s motive, asking why he distrusted both voters and the judiciary in handling such matters.
Political Backlash and Context
The controversy echoes broader political friction. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis dismissed Gandhi’s allegations as insulting to voters and baseless, citing urbanization trends—like in Kamthi and Pimpri-Chinchwad—as explanations for increases in voter rolls, rather than foul play (timesofindia.indiatimes.com). BJP leader Amit Malviya charged that Gandhi’s assertions were part of a strategy to undermine democratic institutions, likening them to “Soros’ playbook” (hindustantimes.com).
What Happens Next?
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Formal complaint? The EC awaits a written complaint from Rahul Gandhi.
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Judicial scrutiny? Gandhi may pursue legal routes, possibly filing election petitions to obtain CCTV footage or voter roll data.
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Wider fallout? The issue could shape the narrative ahead of the Bihar elections, which Gandhi has warned could face similar interference.
Disclaimer: This article draws from public statements and news reports from the Election Commission, Rahul Gandhi, and political figures. It reflects allegations made by both sides and does not independently verify those claims.
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