NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 29, 2026 : Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi told a meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) on Tuesday that he believed electoral “match-fixing” was taking place through Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and voter lists, and called on the Congress to continue its opposition and resistance on the issue, according to people familiar with his remarks.
Speaking at the CWC meeting at Indira Bhawan in New Delhi, Gandhi reportedly said the Congress had been raising allegations of “vote chori” and irregularities in elections in Haryana, Karnataka and Maharashtra. He argued that the issue had subsequently received greater attention in media discussions and editorials.
Gandhi’s “Match-Fixing” Allegations
According to reports of his remarks, Gandhi described two alleged forms of electoral “match-fixing”: one involving EVMs and another involving alleged manipulation of electoral rolls.
He also reiterated his earlier allegation that the 2024 Lok Sabha election was “fixed and rigged.” These are political allegations made by Gandhi and the Congress; they should not be treated as established findings of fact.
Gandhi further criticised the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, particularly its provisions concerning protection for Election Commissioners.
The law received presidential assent on December 28, 2023. Section 16 provides protection from civil or criminal proceedings for acts, things or words undertaken in the discharge or purported discharge of official duties. The Act came into force in 2024.
Congress Calls for Action Against Election Commission
The Congress has demanded the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, suspension of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and restoration of names removed from voter lists. The party has also called for political resignations over what it describes as electoral irregularities.
The CWC meeting comes amid controversy surrounding reports that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had recorded objections on multiple occasions concerning decisions related to the SIR process.
An Indian Express investigation reported that the two commissioners had formally raised objections at least 14 times over 10 months on issues including electoral-roll changes and related procedures.
Election Commission’s Response
The Election Commission has rejected the suggestion that the reported objections demonstrate a breakdown in decision-making. The poll panel has said that all decisions relating to the SIR were unanimous and had the approval of all three Election Commissioners. It has characterized differences and inputs during internal deliberations as part of the normal functioning of a multi-member constitutional body.
The dispute has also reached the legal arena. The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a petition challenging aspects of the Election Commission’s functioning and the SIR, including claims concerning the role of the Chief Election Commissioner in decision-making. The allegations in that petition remain matters for judicial consideration.
Congress Signals Continued Street-to-Parliament Campaign
Gandhi reportedly told CWC members that the party should continue its campaign from the streets to Parliament, invoking the Congress’s historical resistance movements and the 1930 Lahore session’s decision to pursue Purna Swaraj.
The latest CWC discussions come as the political dispute over electoral-roll revisions, the functioning of the Election Commission and allegations of electoral irregularities intensifies ahead of forthcoming elections.
