EC Slams ‘Vote Chori’ Remark, Calls It Attack on Voters and Poll Staff

EC warns against derogatory terms like ‘vote chori’, urges parties to present evidence instead of maligning voters and poll workers.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has strongly criticised the use of terms like “vote chori” in political discourse, stating that such language is not only an attack on the integrity of elections but also on the dignity of voters and the lakhs of poll workers involved in the process.

The statement came after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi presented findings from the party’s review of electoral rolls in the Mahadevapura Assembly segment of the Bangalore Central Lok Sabha constituency. Opposition parties, including the Congress, have been alleging discrepancies in voter lists, with “vote chori” forming a key part of their campaign narrative.

The EC urged political leaders to submit concrete evidence of wrongdoing instead of making blanket accusations. “If anyone has proof of a person voting twice in any election, it should be shared with ECI along with a written affidavit, rather than branding all voters as ‘chor’ without evidence,” the commission said.

The poll body emphasised that safeguarding the trust in India’s democratic process requires responsibility in political communication, warning that baseless claims can undermine voter confidence and the credibility of the electoral system.