Responding to fresh accusations of “vote theft” made by Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi, the Election Commission of India described the claims as “baseless”.

The Commission stated it had reached out to Gandhi in June, through both email and a formal letter, inviting him to discuss issues related to the voter rolls. However, he did not respond. Instead, the Commission said, Gandhi made “wild allegations” and even issued threats against the Commission and its officials.

While speaking to journalists on Friday about the Bihar Special Intensive Revision, Gandhi alleged that the Commission was involved in “vote theft” to benefit the BJP.

He was quoted by ANI as saying, “Votes are being stolen. We have open-and-shut evidence that the Election Commission is indulging in this vote theft. And I am not saying it lightly, I am speaking with 100% evidence. And when we come out with it (evidence), the whole country will know that the Election Commission is facilitating vote theft. And for whom? They're facilitating it for the BJP.”

Gandhi said the Congress had carried out its own investigation and found what he described as evidence of major misconduct.

He added, “We suspected voter fraud and we went into its minutiae. As the Election Commission was not cooperating in the inquiry, we conducted it ourselves. It took six months and what we uncovered is an 'atom bomb' and when this atom bomb detonates, you will not find the Election Commission in the country.”

He also warned Commission officials, saying, “Most importantly, whoever in the Election Commission is engaged in this exercise, right from top to bottom, we will not spare you. You are working against India, and this is no less than treason. Wherever you are, even if you are retired, we will find you.”

Later that evening, the Commission issued a statement rejecting the charges and calling them part of a pattern of “baseless allegations”.

“In spite of the threats being given daily, we urge all the election officials to ignore such irresponsible remarks and perform in a fair and transparent manner,” the statement read.

The Commission also clarified that Gandhi was invited to a discussion on 12 June 2025 but never responded.

“EC sends a letter to him 12 June 2025. He doesn't turn up. EC sends him a letter on 12 June 2025, he doesn't reply. He never sent any letter to EC regarding any matter at all. It is quite unusual that he is raising baseless allegations and has now even begun threatening EC and its employees. Deplorable!” the statement added.

The Commission concluded by encouraging its officials to continue their duties impartially and transparently, despite such remarks.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju also responded to Gandhi’s comments, accusing him of making statements that harmed national interest.

He said, “Rahul Gandhi is not a child. He is the Leader of the Opposition. Making anti-national remarks and stalling Parliament is not acceptable.”