Rahul Gandhi’s Criticism of Election Commission Draws Rebuttal from Officials, Raises Questions on Data Use

 

New Delhi, June 8, 2025 –
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s sharp critique of the Election Commission of India (ECI), published in an op-ed on Saturday, has drawn a firm response from poll body officials who allege that the Congress leader is selectively presenting facts and attempting to undermine the institution’s credibility.

In a piece published by The Indian Express, Gandhi reiterated several allegations, including concerns about the neutrality of the ECI and the government's decision to change the process of appointing Election Commissioners. He accused the Centre of compromising the impartiality of the poll panel by replacing the Chief Justice of India with a Cabinet Minister in the three-member selection committee — a move that overturns a 2023 Supreme Court directive.

However, senior officials within the Election Commission have rejected the charges, calling them misleading and politically motivated.

“After losing the match, blaming the referee has become standard practice. These allegations are absurd and a bid to defame the poll body,” a senior ECI official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
“We had responded to similar claims made by the Congress party on December 24, 2024. It appears the party has not shared that detailed response with Mr. Gandhi.”

Disputed Claims and Official Response

Gandhi's article reportedly draws connections between voter data, election outcomes, and the Commission’s appointment process — some of which have been contradicted by publicly available data. A review by The Indian Express found that some claims lacked context or supporting evidence, and in one instance, connected unrelated facts.

Officials also pointed out that the Congress leader’s criticisms regarding the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly election turnout are inconsistent with the official data published by the Commission.

“The data was released in real-time, and all updates were shared transparently with political parties,” the EC official noted. “The appointment of Election Commissioners followed the process laid out by Parliament. The issue was debated in both Houses and passed as per constitutional norms.”

Larger Political Context

This exchange comes at a time of heightened political scrutiny post the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, in which the Congress made significant gains but fell short of forming a government. Gandhi’s criticism is part of a broader opposition narrative that questions institutional independence under the current administration.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission continues to defend its neutrality and transparency, emphasizing that all electoral processes are conducted in accordance with the law.