Vote-chori row: Rahul flags 6,018 deletions in Aland

Key points at a glance

• New charge: Mr. Gandhi alleges thousands of voters were targeted for deletion in Karnataka, spotlighting 6,018 Form-7 deletions in Aland. (Allegation)
• Attack on CEC: He claims Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar is “protecting” those responsible. (Allegation)
• Method alleged: Fake applications and misuse of software tools to trigger mass deletions. (Allegation)
• Local corroboration: Aland MLA B.R. Patil previously alleged that only 24 of 6,018 deletion applications were genuine. (Allegation)

What exactly was alleged

Mr. Gandhi told reporters he would present “black-and-white” evidence that a network used fraudulent applications and digital tools to remove voters – particularly those seen as Congress supporters—from the rolls. He argued that the pattern goes beyond one seat and reflects a national problem. (Allegation)

“I’m going to show proof which is black and white that the CEC is protecting people who have destroyed Indian democracy.”

— Rahul Gandhi, press conference, Sept 18, 2025 (Financial Express)

Aland case: the numbers and the backstory

The Aland constituency in Karnataka has been at the center of earlier complaints. In 2023, local leaders alleged a deluge of Form-7 requests seeking to delete voters. According to Aland MLA B.R. Patil, 6,018 applications were filed and 5,994 were allegedly fake, leaving only 24 legitimate cases – claims he says were flagged to the police and later moved to the CID. (Allegation)

Independent reporting has also tracked calls for the Election Commission to treat these allegations as a suo motu complaint, indicating continuing institutional attention in Karnataka.

What the Election Commission has said so far

As of publication, major outlets have reported Mr. Gandhi’s charges in detail. However, a formal, detailed rebuttal from the Election Commission specific to the Aland 6,018 figure and today’s press-conference exhibits has not been quoted in the initial reports we reviewed. We will update this section if an official EC statement addressing today’s claims becomes available via primary sources or accredited press.

Political fallout

Expect sharp pushback from the ruling side and more discovery demands from the opposition. Mr. Gandhi’s promise of documentary “proof” suggests further releases, while Karnataka-based references to Aland keep the spotlight on how Form-7 workflows can be monitored and audited.

For readers, the heart of the matter is simple. If fraudulent deletions occurred then the integrity of close contests could be compromised. If they did not then the public needs transparent data that puts the controversy to rest. Either way, the process deserves daylight.

Quick FAQ

What is “vote-chori” in this context?

It’s the opposition’s shorthand for alleged voter-roll manipulation, such as mass deletions via Form-7 applications. (Allegation)

Why is Aland being cited repeatedly?

Local leaders flagged an unusually high number of deletion requests – 6,018 – ahead of the 2023 election and alleged most were fake. (Allegation)

Has the Election Commission responded?

At the time of writing, we did not see a detailed EC statement in the initial reports directly addressing the 6,018 figure and the new exhibits claimed today. We’ll add verified responses from primary EC communications if and when they are issued.

Why this matters

In close contests, even small changes to the rolls can tilt the scales. Transparent audits, reproducible logs, and time-stamped application trails would help restore trust. The Aland case – whatever the final conclusion has become a test for the system’s ability to answer tough questions with data.