Rahul Gandhi claims ‘match-fixing’ in Maharashtra polls, ECI calls it ‘absurd’

Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi stirred a controversy on Saturday morning after he took to social media alleging ‘match-fixing’ in the Maharashtra Assembly elections after his article on the subject appeared in The Indian Express.

Gandhi posted on X, “How to steal an election? Maharashtra assembly elections in 2024 were a blueprint for rigging democracy.”

“My article shows how this happened, step by step,” he added and provided these steps:

Step 1: Rig the panel for appointing the Election Commission 

Step 2: Add fake voters to the roll

Step 3: Inflate voter turnout

Step 4: Target the bogus voting exactly where BJP needs to win 

Step 5: Hide the evidence

“It’s not hard to see why the BJP was so desperate in Maharashtra. But rigging is like match-fixing - the side that cheats might win the game, but damages institutions and destroys public faith in the result,” he said.

“All concerned Indians must see the evidence. Judge for themselves. Demand answers. Because the match-fixing of Maharashtra will come to Bihar next, and then anywhere the BJP is losing. Match-fixed elections are a poison for any democracy,” the Congress leader added.

Following Gandhi’s allegations, the Election Commission of India responded with a statement,  calling it ‘completely baseless’. 

The ECI stated that it had presented all relevant facts on December 24, 2024, which are available on the Commission’s website. The ECI said that Congress is ‘ignoring’ facts.

The Election Commission further stated, “Any misinformation being spread, by anyone, is not only a sign of disrespect towards Law, but also brings disrepute to the thousands of representatives appointed by their own political party and demotivates lakhs of election staff who work untiringly and transparently during elections. After any unfavourable verdict by the voters, trying to defame the Election Commission by saying that it is compromised, is completely absurd.”