ECI Slams Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Match-Fixing’ Charge as Baseless

New Delhi, June 7 – The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday issued a detailed point-wise rebuttal to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s recent allegation of “match-fixing” in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, calling the claims “completely absurd” and an affront to the electoral process.

In a strongly worded response, the Commission said Gandhi’s accusations ignored the transparent mechanisms and legal frameworks under which the elections were conducted. It asserted that over 6.4 crore electors voted in Maharashtra from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., with an average of 58 lakh votes polled per hour.

“Based on these trends, nearly 116 lakh voters could have cast their votes in the last two hours. The actual number—65 lakh—is significantly below that average, clearly disproving any claim of abnormal voting activity,” the Commission said.

The ECI further clarified that voting took place in the presence of polling agents formally appointed by political parties, including the Indian National Congress. “No substantiated objection was raised by Congress candidates or their agents before the Returning Officers or Election Observers during the scrutiny process,” it said.

Responding to Gandhi’s demand for access to CCTV footage and voter rolls, the Commission underscored that electoral rolls are updated and finalized as per the Representation of the People Act, 1950 and Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, and are shared with all political parties in advance.

As per the Commission, the final electoral roll included 9,77,90,752 electors, yet only 89 appeals were filed before the first appellate authority (District Magistrate), and just one before the second appellate authority (Chief Electoral Officer). “These figures reflect the absence of substantial grievances regarding the rolls, especially from the INC,” the ECI stated.

During the revision process, more than 1.03 lakh Booth Level Agents (BLAs) from all political parties were involved, including 27,099 appointed by the Congress party, making them an integral part of the oversight process.

In a strongly worded conclusion, the Commission said: “After any unfavourable verdict by the voters, trying to defame the Election Commission by saying that it is compromised is completely absurd. Any misinformation being spread is not only a sign of disrespect towards the law but also demoralises lakhs of election staff and party-appointed agents who ensure free and fair elections.”

ECI sources added that more than one lakh Booth Level Officers (BLOs) in Maharashtra are still “waiting for such wild allegations to be converted into at least a single real appeal” under Section 24 of the RP Act, 1950.

The Commission also reiterated that all additions and deletions in the rolls were done transparently, following constitutional provisions and statutory rules, and under the full knowledge of all stakeholders.