Software used to Delete Voters says Rahul Gandhi

In a scathing attack on the Election Commission of India (ECI), Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has alleged the use of specialized software to systematically delete voters, particularly from Congress strongholds, in a bid to manipulate elections. Speaking at a press conference on September 17, 2025, in New Delhi, Gandhi presented what he described as “100% proof” of automated voter deletions in Karnataka’s Aland constituency, accusing the ECI of complicity in “vote chori” (vote theft). This revelation has ignited a fresh controversy, with Gandhi warning that the issue is a “hydrogen bomb” ready to explode across the country.

Gandhi’s claims center on 6,018 impersonation applications filed in Aland, where software allegedly automated the process using mobile numbers from outside Karnataka to target Congress voters. “The filing was done automatically using software. Mobile numbers from different states were used to delete numbers in Aland, and it was done targeting Congress voters,” he stated, displaying serial numbers and data patterns that suggest a centralized, non-human operation. He further alleged that this is part of a broader pattern affecting Dalits, tribals, minorities, and OBCs who vote for the opposition, with similar manipulations in Maharashtra, where voter numbers surged by 47 lakh between parliamentary and assembly elections in 2024

The accusations build on Gandhi’s earlier August 7, 2025, press conference, where he highlighted over 1 lakh irregularities in Bangalore’s Mahadevapura segment, including duplicate entries, fake addresses, and misuse of Form 6 for bulk registrations. He demanded the ECI release electronic voter rolls for auditing and CCTV footage from polling booths, claiming the body is “partaking in the crime” by withholding data. The Karnataka CID has initiated an investigation into deletions in Aland, seeking ECI details, but Gandhi accused the commission of stonewalling.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has rejected the allegations as “political rhetoric,” asserting that voter lists are verified rigorously and no systemic fraud exists. BJP leaders, including Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, dismissed Gandhi’s claims as “selective outrage,” pointing to his “changing figures.” However, psephologist Sanjay Kumar of Lokniti-CSDS initially shared data supporting voter surges in Maharashtra but later deleted his post amid backlash.

As the controversy escalates, Gandhi’s software deletion claims raise serious questions about India’s democratic integrity. With elections in Bihar looming, the opposition demands immediate reforms, while the ruling BJP calls for evidence-based dialogue. The ECI’s response will be crucial in restoring public trust.