India's election body demands proof or apology from Rahul Gandhi over 'vote theft' allegations

The country's Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, said during a press conference, “An affidavit must be given or an apology to the nation must be made; there is no third option,” after Gandhi alleged the Election Commission is aiding voter manipulation for the benefit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The Commission rejected the Congress leader’s accusations, asserting its fulfilment of constitutional responsibilities impartially.

“When the gun is placed on the shoulders of the Election Commission to target voters in India and politics is being done, today the Election Commission wants to make it clear to everyone that the Election Commission stands fearlessly with all poor, rich, elderly, women, and youth, including all classes and all religions, without any discrimination," he said.

"The Election Commission stood strong as a rock, it stands strong, and it will continue to stand strong,” he added.

Gandhi, leader of the INDIA alliance, refused to submit an affidavit and reiterated allegations of “vote theft.”

“Across India, assembly [state polls] and Lok Sabha [national polls] elections are being stolen, and the final conspiracy is that in Bihar [scheduled to vote later this year], they aim to steal the elections by adding new voters under the guise of ‘SIR’ [Special Intensive Revision of voters] and removing existing voters," Gandhi said.

"We will not allow them to steal this election,” he added.

In the 2024 elections, the incumbent National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the BJP, secured a majority by winning 293 of the 543 Lok Sabha seats, with 240 of those held by the BJP itself.

The opposition INDIA alliance gained 234 seats, including 99 won by the Indian National Congress.

Modi assumed office for a third consecutive term as prime minister in June 2024.