The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a formal notice to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, directing him to provide documentary evidence supporting his recent claims of ‘vote theft’ in the country’s electoral process.

The notice, sent on Sunday, refers to a presentation made by Mr. Gandhi in which he displayed what he described as official documents from the ECI’s own records, allegedly showing irregularities in vote counting and tallying during previous elections.

According to the poll body, the presentation contained material that Mr. Gandhi claimed was authentic ECI data, raising serious concerns over its source, authenticity, and interpretation. The ECI has asked the Congress leader to submit the original documents along with a written explanation of how they were obtained.

The Commission’s move comes at a politically sensitive time, as the country inches closer to major state elections and the 2026 Lok Sabha polls. With both ruling and opposition parties ramping up campaigns, allegations of electoral manipulation have taken centre stage in political debates.

Background of the Allegations

During a public event earlier this month, Rahul Gandhi accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of engineering large-scale vote theft through manipulation of election data and processes. His presentation included slides with voter lists, counting records, and ECI seals, which he claimed proved his assertions.

The Congress party has stood by its leader, stating that the presentation was based on “verified” information from whistleblowers within the system. The BJP, on the other hand, has dismissed the claims as “baseless propaganda” aimed at undermining the credibility of the ECI ahead of elections.

ECI’s Stand and Response

In its official statement, the Election Commission clarified that no such documents had been officially released to any political party or leader. It stated that the display of material allegedly from its archives without verification amounts to spreading misinformation.

The ECI’s notice gives Mr. Gandhi seven days to produce the documents for examination, failing which the matter could be escalated to legal proceedings under relevant electoral and penal laws.

Political Reactions

The notice has sparked a fresh round of political sparring. Congress spokespersons have accused the ECI of acting under political pressure, while BJP leaders have demanded that Rahul Gandhi publicly apologise for “defaming India’s democratic institutions.”

Political analysts say the controversy could have a two-fold impact — energising opposition supporters who feel the electoral process is compromised, while also consolidating ruling party voters who see the allegations as an attack on national institutions.

Broader Implications

This incident underscores a growing mistrust in India’s electoral process among sections of the public. Experts have warned that such disputes, if left unresolved, could erode faith in democratic systems and lower voter turnout in upcoming elections.

The ECI, which has historically been regarded as a neutral arbiter of elections, now faces the challenge of proving its transparency and impartiality in the eyes of the public.

For now, the political spotlight remains firmly fixed on Rahul Gandhi, as both his critics and supporters wait to see if the documents he claims to have will withstand official scrutiny.

If you want, I can now prepare the next political news item in the exact same format for today’s events.

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