New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has once again stirred political waters by accusing the Election Commission of India (ECI) of orchestrating a conspiracy to delete votes online, allegedly targeting communities that traditionally support Opposition parties.
The remarks came during a press conference on Thursday, where Gandhi presented individuals who claimed their names had been removed from the electoral rolls without due process.
Gandhi’s allegations have reignited concerns over the integrity of India’s electoral system, especially as the country gears up for multiple state elections. He has given the ECI a one-week ultimatum to respond and initiate an impartial investigation into the matter.
Can Votes Be Deleted Online?
Legally, votes cannot be removed solely through online means. While the process of initiating a request to add or delete a name from the voter list can begin online — via the National Voter Service Portal (NVSP) or state election websites — the final decision is always based on physical verification conducted by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) or Electoral Registration Officers (EROs).
The process involves:
Submission of Form-7 for deletion requests.
Physical verification by BLOs.
Issuance of a notice to the concerned voter.
A decision based on evidence and rules.
Right to appeal if a voter feels wrongly removed.
Experts clarify that while online applications are possible, the deletion of a voter’s name is not fully automated and requires human oversight.
However, Gandhi argues that malicious intent during physical verification could lead to wrongful deletions, especially in BJP-ruled states.
When Can A Voters Be Legally Removed?
Voters can be deleted under specific conditions:
Death of the voter (with proof).
Permanent relocation to another constituency.
Renunciation of Indian citizenship.
Legal disqualification, such as mental incapacity or criminal conviction.
Duplicate entries in the voter list.
The ECI says that all removals are done according to the Representation of the People Acts of 1950 and 1951, and that there are protections like sending out notices, checking for duplicates, and having ways for the public to raise complaints to stop misuse.
Rahul Gandhi’s Political Standpoint
Gandhi claims that the voter deletion strategy is being used to undermine democratic participation, particularly among marginalised groups. He has demanded a transparent audit of voter lists and stricter accountability for BLOs and electoral officers.
While the ECI has yet to formally respond to the latest accusations, it has previously stated that any irregularities found are dealt with through disciplinary action.