Rahul Gandhi vs Election Commission: Sign Declaration or Apologize, Say Sources
New Delhi, August 8, 2025 – The political battle between Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and the Election Commission of India (ECI) intensified this week, with fresh reports claiming that the poll body has set two options for the Leader of Opposition: either sign a formal declaration affirming his allegations of electoral malpractice or issue a public apology to the nation.
According to media agency ANI, citing unnamed sources within the Election Commission, the declaration form would require Gandhi to officially stand by his claims made during a recent press conference. If he refuses to sign, sources suggest it would indicate he lacks confidence in his own statements and would then be expected to apologize for making what the ECI considers “baseless allegations.”
The Controversy
On August 7, Rahul Gandhi held a high-profile press conference accusing the Election Commission of large-scale irregularities in the voter list. He alleged that millions of legitimate voters’ names had been removed while fake voters had been added, allegedly to influence election results in favor of the ruling party.
To support his claims, Gandhi presented documents and photographs as evidence. However, state election commissions across India quickly rejected the allegations, demanding that Gandhi submit concrete proof for examination.
The Election Commission’s Position
The latest reports suggest the ECI is pressing Gandhi to formalize his accusations by signing the declaration. “If Rahul Gandhi truly believes his allegations are correct, there should be no hesitation in signing the form,” an unnamed source told ANI. “If he refuses, it will indicate he does not stand by his own words and should apologize to the nation.”
Rahul Gandhi’s Response
Speaking at a rally in Bengaluru on August 8, Gandhi strongly pushed back against the ECI’s demand.
“I have already taken an oath in Parliament to uphold the Constitution of India,” he said. “If the Election Commission gives us the electronic data, we will prove without a doubt that Narendra Modi became Prime Minister by stealing votes.”
Gandhi also accused the Election Commission of trying to hide information from the public. “When citizens started questioning their data on the EC’s website, they shut it down in states like Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Bihar. They know their entire system will collapse if the people see the truth,” he claimed.
Political Reactions
Rival political leaders were quick to hit back at Gandhi, accusing him of selective outrage.
“Look at history—there are many examples from Indira Gandhi’s time when entire ballot boxes were stolen,” one leader said. “When the Congress wins, there’s no problem. But when they lose, they blame the BJP and the Election Commission. This is damaging to our democracy.”
What’s Next?
The standoff between Rahul Gandhi and the Election Commission is far from over. With both sides refusing to back down, the issue is likely to dominate political discourse in the coming weeks, especially as opposition parties and the ruling BJP prepare for the next electoral season.