Amid intensifying political tensions over the ‘vote chori’ (vote theft) row, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav launched a stinging attack on the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday, alleging that the poll body is concealing facts and has failed to act on serious complaints of voter fraud in Uttar Pradesh. Yadav’s remarks came shortly after Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar addressed a press conference and stated that the Commission had not received any affidavits from Uttar Pradesh regarding voter fraud or electoral roll discrepancies.

Reacting to the CEC’s comment, Akhilesh Yadav produced screenshots of email receipts that he said were issued by the Election Commission itself—purportedly confirming the receipt of 18,000 affidavits submitted by the SP, detailing large-scale irregularities in voter registration. He then demanded that the Commission file its own affidavit to prove its claim that no such documents had been received.

“The Election Commission which is saying that it has not received the affidavits given by the Samajwadi Party in UP should look at the receipt given by its own office as proof. This time, we demand that the Election Commission submit an affidavit confirming that the digital receipt sent to us is valid—otherwise not just the Election Commission, but even ‘Digital India’ will come under suspicion,” Yadav said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

‘Commission Needs Radical Reforms’

Yadav stressed that the issue goes beyond mere technicalities of email receipts and digital submissions. “This is about the credibility of the Election Commission itself,” he said, adding that ordinary reforms may not be enough. “The Commission not only needs reforms—it needs radical changes. The historic responsibility of saving democracy is now on its shoulders.”

He further added that unwanted pressures may be influencing the Election Commission’s functioning, and warned that public trust in the institution was eroding. “When the Election Commission starts walking on the right path, the support of crores of Indians will become its protective shield,” Yadav stated, urging the Commission to take a “right and bold step” to restore faith in the electoral process.

SP Aligns With Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’

The SP chief’s remarks closely follow the launch of Rahul Gandhi’s “Voter Adhikar Yatra” in Bihar— a 16-day march covering more than 1,300 km and over 20 districts to mobilise public opinion on voter rights and electoral fairness. By directly challenging the Election Commission and producing what the party claims is proof of submission, Akhilesh Yadav has effectively aligned the Samajwadi Party’s messaging with the Congress campaign, making ‘vote chori’ a central issue in the INDIA bloc’s strategy in the run-up to major state and national elections.

Yadav also urged the Election Commission to act decisively to restore public faith. “A right and bold step by the Election Commission today can ensure the future of infinite generations in this country,” he said, reiterating that 18,000 affidavits submitted by the SP point to serious voter roll irregularities which demand immediate investigation.

ECI Yet to Respond to Affidavit Challenge

As of now, the Election Commission has not responded to Akhilesh Yadav’s demand that it submit an affidavit verifying its claim that no affidavits were received from Uttar Pradesh. The Commission has maintained its stance that no official documentation has been submitted regarding voter fraud in the state.

The escalating exchange marks a new flashpoint between the Election Commission and the Opposition, with the SP, Congress and other parties questioning the poll body’s neutrality and effectiveness. With Bihar’s voter rights march underway and UP-based affidavits entering the public domain, the INDIA bloc appears determined to put electoral transparency and institutional accountability at the forefront of its pre-election narrative.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Akhilesh Yadav’s sharp criticism of the Election Commission and demand for radical reforms signal a deepening rift between the poll body and Opposition parties over the ‘vote chori’ allegations. By presenting digital receipts of the 18,000 affidavits allegedly submitted by the SP, and demanding an affidavit from the ECI to prove its claim, Yadav has raised serious questions about the Commission’s transparency and credibility.
This confrontation, coupled with Rahul Gandhi’s Voter Adhikar Yatra, underlines how electoral integrity and voter rights are becoming central pillars of the INDIA bloc’s political strategy. Whether the Election Commission responds with further clarity—or remains firm on its current position—will have a significant bearing on public confidence in India’s democratic institutions in the months to come.

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