Congress MP Jairam Ramesh Critiques Election Commission's Response to Vote Theft Allegations

Jairam Ramesh's Criticism of the Election Commission

On Sunday, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh expressed his disapproval of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's recent press briefing, where he addressed allegations of "vote theft" made by Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha. Ramesh pointed out that this marks the first occasion the "new" Election Commission of India (ECI) has spoken directly, rather than relying on "planted sources".

During the press conference held in New Delhi, CEC Gyanesh Kumar denied the latest accusations of "vote theft" against the ECI, particularly concerning the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar.

Today, the Election Commission of India held a press conference. This was the first time this ‘new’ ECI was speaking directly and not planting through sources.

Yesterday, the ECI had released a ‘Press Note’, the purpose of which was to place the onus of voter list correction on…

— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) August 17, 2025

Ramesh took to 'X' to highlight that the ECI's press note, released on August 16, aimed to shift the responsibility for correcting the voter list onto political parties and individuals. He noted that this press note faced widespread criticism from both political factions and the public. "Yesterday, the ECI released a press note, the purpose of which was to place the onus of voter list correction on political parties and individuals. This Press Note had also been met with uniform criticism from the opposition parties and widespread criticism from the general public," Ramesh stated in his post.

He also pointed out that Gyanesh Kumar's press conference occurred just three days after the Supreme Court dismissed the ECI's arguments against the publication of 65 lakh deleted votes during the Bihar SIR.

Ramesh remarked, "Today's Press Conference also came three days after the Supreme Court had rejected every single one of the arguments made by the ECI to prevent the publication of the 65 lakh deleted voters during the Bihar SIR. Despite the vehement and documented objections of the ECI, the Supreme Court directed the publication, in a searchable format, of these 65 lakh voters with all their details. It had also allowed the use of AADHAR IDs to be proof of voter identity. The ECI had opposed every single one of these instructions of the Supreme Court," he wrote.

Furthermore, Ramesh criticized the CEC for failing to address Rahul Gandhi's inquiries in a substantial manner. He noted that the ECI claimed to treat ruling and opposition parties equally after the INDIA bloc initiated the Voter Adhikar Yatra from Sasaram, Bihar. "Today, shortly after Shri. Rahul Gandhi launched the INDIA janbandhan’s Voter Adhikar Yatra from Sasaram, the CEC and his two ECs began by saying they make no distinction between the ruling party and the opposition. This is laughable, to put it very mildly, in the face of mountains of evidence to the contrary. Notably, the CEC answered none of the pointed questions raised by Shri. Rahul Gandhi meaningfully," Ramesh commented on 'X'.

He urged the ECI to clarify whether it would adhere to the Supreme Court's order from August 14, emphasizing that the nation is awaiting a response. "All that matters now is simply this: will the ECI implement, in letter and spirit, the Supreme Court's orders of August 14th, 2025, on the Bihar SIR process? It is constitutionally bound to do so. The nation is waiting and watching," he stated. Ramesh also countered the CEC's request for an apology or affidavit from Rahul Gandhi, asserting that the allegations were based on data provided by the ECI.

Regarding the CEC's threats towards Rahul Gandhi, Ramesh remarked that the Leader of Opposition merely stated facts derived from the ECI's own data. "The ECI stands thoroughly exposed not only for its incompetence but also for its blatant partisanship," he concluded.

In response to Gyanesh Kumar's statements, Congress leader Pawan Khera questioned how BJP MP Anurag Thakur could possess data on the voters' list for six Lok Sabha seats within just six days. He suggested that if the CEC had concerns, he should file a complaint against Thakur. "How could BJP MP Anurag Thakur have data of the voters' list for six Lok Sabha seats within six days? We don’t have answers. Then he should file a complaint against Anurag Thakur. How did he get it? Has he given a notice to Anurag Thakur, BJP? He is acting like an agent of the BJP…" Khera stated.

#WATCH | Sasaram, Bihar | On Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's statement, Congress leader Pawan Khera says, "...How could BJP MP Anurag Thakur have data of the voters' list for six Lok Sabha seats within six days. We don't have answers. Then he should file a complaint… pic.twitter.com/leWBjSRSvJ

— ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2025

Khera further remarked, "Those who were declared dead (by the ECI) were having tea with Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi. Didn’t they feel ashamed? They should answer the questions raised by us."

In his defense against the opposition's claims of "vote theft" during the SIR of electoral rolls in Bihar, CEC Gyanesh Kumar stated that neither the ECI nor the voters are "afraid" of such "false" allegations. This press conference was the first conducted by the Constitutional body following the SIR of the electoral rolls in Bihar. Opposition leaders had raised concerns about "vote theft" during the SIR exercise in Bihar and the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Gyanesh Kumar noted that several voters had reported instances of double voting in recent days but did not provide evidence when requested. "Some voters alleged double voting. When asked for proof, no answer was given. Neither the Election Commission nor any voter is afraid of such false allegations," CEC Kumar told reporters.

He affirmed that the Election Commission "stood like a rock" with every segment of society without discrimination. "When politics is being done by targeting the voters of India by keeping a gun on the shoulder of the Election Commission, today the Election Commission wants to make it clear to everyone that it fearlessly stood like a rock with all the voters of all sections and all religions including the poor, rich, elderly, women, youth without any discrimination," the CEC stated.