Congress launches campaign urging people to 'register' against 'vote chori', support Rahul's demand for digital voter rolls

In a post on X in Hindi, Gandhi said 'vote theft' is an attack on the basic democratic principle of 'one person, one vote', and asserted that a clean voters' list is essential for free and fair elections.

New Delhi: Congress on Sunday launched a public campaign against 'vote chori' (vote theft) with a dedicated website giving people the option to share evidence of electoral malpractices and deficiencies in voters' list.

Sharing details of the campaign on X, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi urged people to demand from the Election Commission to release digital voters' rolls so that it can be audited.

The party publicised its website 'votechori.in' to join the campaign where they can share their "vote chori experience" and be part of the campaign. They can also give a missed call to 9650003420 to join the campaign.

In the website, there is an option for the public to share their “vote chori experience” and upload evidence that can support their claims, like duplicate names in the voter rolls and missing names.

“We want to give you a platform to expose the truth and raise your voice against this attack on our Constitution,” it said. The website also gives an option to demand “accountability” from the EC.

"Vote Chori is an attack on the foundational idea of 'one man, one vote'. A clean voter roll is imperative for free and fair elections. Our demand from the EC is clear - be transparent and release digital voter rolls so that people and parties can audit them...This fight is to protect our democracy," Rahul said.

The website claimed that the voting is the foundation of India's democracy but it is "under systematic attack by the BJP, with the Election Commission complicit."

It referred to Rahul's press conference on August 7 in which he claimed that around one lakh fake voters helped the BJP win the Bangalore Central seat.

"Imagine this happening in 70–100 seats—it would destroy free elections. The Congress and I.N.D.I.A. have raised alarms before, including in Maharashtra. Now we have proof. We will fight this Vote Chori with all our strength. Join us to defend our democracy," it said.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday will chair a meeting of party General Secretaries, state in-charges and heads of frontal organisations to finetune the campaign against "vote chori" across the country.