'Vote Chori' Row: Congress Announces 3-Phase Nationwide Campaign Against Election Commission Of India

The Indian National Congress has unveiled a three-phase nationwide campaign targeting what it terms as "Vote Chori", alleging electoral malpractices by the Election Commission of India (ECI). Congress leader K.C. Venugopal, AICC General Secretary, disclosed that party leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge attended a meeting on October 5 where this initiative was discussed.

The slogan for the campaign, "Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao", aims to protect democracy, as per Kharge. Gandhi declared the agitation would persist until ECI Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar was ousted and electoral reforms were implemented.

Phase one of the campaign commenced from October 2 to 8, featuring district-level demonstrations and "Safe Democracy" campaigns. Congress units across several states have coordinated programmes with INDIA bloc partners. Phase two, scheduled from October 10 to 20, will involve grassroots campaigns under the "Desh Bachao, Vote Bachao" slogan.

Block-level Congress committees have been instructed to organize rallies, cycle rallies, or walks, with district committees overseeing these initiatives. Congress workers are also tasked with distributing pamphlets detailing the alleged "vote chori", including in regions hosting Navratri celebrations. The party plans to burn effigies of Gyanesh Kumar throughout the campaign.

Phase three, the longest and most extensive, will run from October 25 to November 25, focusing on village-level outreach. Congress plans to identify voters reportedly removed from electoral rolls and engage with them through village-level Chaupals, with Congress workers, dubbed "vote trackers", visiting the homes of affected individuals. Venugopal emphasized the campaign's commitment to reaching the grassroots nationwide, with senior Congress leaders actively participating.