Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday escalated his attack on India’s electoral machinery, presenting a detailed slide presentation at a press conference in New Delhi to claim that the Election Commission of India (ECI) is enabling a “Vote Chori Factory."
Accusing Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of shielding those “destroying democracy,” Gandhi said his party had uncovered “100 percent proof” of mass voter deletions and digital manipulation.
The presentation, displayed before journalists, outlined how voter names were being systematically removed from electoral rolls through fraudulent use of mobile numbers and one-time passwords (OTPs). Gandhi alleged that the scheme disproportionately targeted Dalits, tribals, minorities and OBCs — communities seen as opposition strongholds. “This is not a clerical error. This is targeted, calculated and systematic disenfranchisement,” he declared.
Citing the 'Aland constituency in Karnataka' as a case study, Gandhi claimed that 6,018 names were deleted, mostly from booths where Congress had strong support. One slide highlighted suspicious timings: at least two applications for deletion were filed within just 38 seconds at 4 am. “No human being can do this. It shows automation. The system has been hijacked,” Gandhi said.
The presentation also pointed to official correspondence between the Karnataka Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the ECI. Gandhi said the CID had written 18 letters over 18 months, seeking critical technical data such as IP addresses and OTP logs linked to deletions. “The Election Commission did not respond. They know exactly what is happening. By refusing to cooperate, they are protecting the criminals of democracy,” Gandhi charged.
To illustrate the manipulation, Gandhi recounted an example featured in the slides: a booth-level officer in Aland discovered her uncle’s name missing from the rolls. The deletion was traced to her neighbour’s account, though neither had submitted the application. “This shows how people’s accounts are being misused without their knowledge,” he said.
Throughout the presentation, Gandhi framed the alleged fraud as part of a deliberate strategy to weaken democracy. He repeatedly warned that what was revealed on Thursday was only the beginning. “Today is a milestone. The hydrogen bomb will come next. And when it does, those responsible will not be able to show their face,” he said.
The Congress leader’s decision to use a structured presentation gave weight to his allegations, signaling that the party intends to build its case with data, documentation and case studies rather than rhetoric alone.
However, the Election Commission has so far not provided a formal response, while the ruling establishment is expected to dismiss the claims as politically motivated.
With his “Vote Chori Factory” exposé, Gandhi has shifted the debate from policy and politics to the credibility of India’s democratic institutions. Whether the evidence presented is tested in courts or parliamentary forums, the charges have placed the Election Commission under an unprecedented spotlight.