Rahul Gandhi Criticizes Election Commission Over ‘One Man, One Vote’ Principle

Quick Summary

• Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, alleged that the Election Commission (EC) is failing to enforce the principle of “one man, one vote.”
• Highlighted voter irregularities in electoral rolls, including a case of Minta Devi being listed as 124 years old in Bihar.
• Gandhi claimed systematic national-level manipulation and promised more revelations about such irregularities.
• Priyanka Gandhi Vadra pointed out additional cases involving fake addresses and names.
• MPs from INDIA bloc parties protested against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls in Bihar. Protesters wore T-shirts featuring the 124-year-old voter’s image.
• Prominent opposition leaders like Sonia Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge joined demonstrations demanding rollback of SIR revisions.
• Congress announced protest campaigns under “Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod” banner:

– Candlelight marches on August 14 across districts.
– Rallies between August 22 and September 7 across states.
– Nationwide signature campaign starting september to collect five crore signatures.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The allegations raised by Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition leaders signal growing concerns about electoral integrity-an issue fundamental to democratic practices. If substantiated, claims such as listing a fictional “124-year-old” voter could erode public trust not only in institutions like the Election Commission but also in broader governance mechanisms.

Systematic errors or manipulation could have far-reaching implications for upcoming elections; however, thorough investigation is necessary before drawing conclusions. The INDIA bloc’s protests aim at leveraging these instances politically while maintaining framing around constitutional values tied to fair representation.

These developments emphasize accountability as critical for sustaining voter confidence-a concern transcending party lines given its impact on India’s democratic fabric.

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