A government of the people, for the people and by the people can be very much off the people. The very Mahakumbh of democracy can be rigged or influenced is clear from many court judgement in India. Be it the disqualification of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for using official machinery by the high court or more recent conviction of 10 people for booth capturing in Nuh, Haryana.
Whenever allegations of vote rigging or vote chori arise, they shake public confidence in the very system that guarantees citizens their fundamental right to choose their leaders. India, the world’s largest democracy, has also been marred with such controversies ever since the inception of the electoral politics in India. Over the years, different political parties have accused one another of manipulating votes—through booth capturing, misuse of government machinery, or more recently, alleged tampering with electronic voting machines (EVMs).The ongoing debate over “vote chori” is not just about technicalities or party politics; it goes to the heart of India’s democratic framework.
What is “Vote Chori”?
“Vote Chori” literally translates to “vote theft.” It refers to any malpractice that undermines the fair conduct of elections. Broadly, it includes Booth capturing – physically taking control of a polling station and casting fake votes.
- Bogus voting – using fake IDs or proxy voting in someone else’s name.
- Bogus voting – using fake IDs or proxy voting in someone else’s name.
- Electronic fraud allegations – tampering or alleged manipulation of EVMs.
- Administrative misuse – deploying police or bureaucracy in ways that influence voting patterns.
In the history of Indian electoral politics each election cycle there have been allegations of f “vote chori,” though the intensity and credibility of these allegations have varied.
Historical Background of Vote Rigging in India 1950s–1970s was the era when the Indian democracy was in its infancy . Allegations of Booth capturing surfaced in the elections which happened during those years, especially in the so called cow belt states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. The leaders accused the opponents of stealing the ballot boxes, stuffing them with fake votes, or burning the votes inside them.
1980s–1990s saw influx of the Criminals into the politics. Initially there criminals were used by some politicians to gather votes or to intimidate the voters, These musclemen were also used to capture the polling boots sometimes on camera. With the introduction of EVMs, the Election Commission of India (ECI) claimed a significant reduction in booth capturing. However, suspicions of “digital manipulation” emerged.
From 2010s till now the political parties have often accused one another of EVM tampering. The matter became so serious that many cases were filed in the Supreme Court despite Election Commission repeatedly claiming that Indian EVMs are standalone, non-networked, and tamper-proof. The Supreme court also gave its opinion which said that the election commission’s claims were correct. Still, the narrative of “vote chori” continues as a political weapon.
Recently of “vote chori” allegations resurfaced during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and several state polls. Opposition parties claimed. EVMs were malfunctioning or favoring the ruling party. Voter suppression occurred through deletion of names from voter lists. State machinery and media bias tilted the balance in favour of incumbents. The ruling establishment, on the other hand, rejected these claims, pointing to multiple independent audits, Supreme Court judgments, and global recognition of India’s electoral system as largely free and fair.
Recently of “vote chori” allegations resurfaced during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and several state polls. Opposition parties claimed. EVMs were malfunctioning or favoring the ruling party. Voter suppression occurred through deletion of names from voter lists. State machinery and media bias tilted the balance in favour of incumbents. The ruling establishment, on the other hand, rejected these claims, pointing to multiple independent audits, Supreme Court judgments, and global recognition of India’s electoral system as largely free and fair.
The Election Commission has introduced several measures to minimize malpractice:
- VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail): Allows voters to see a paper slip showing their vote, ensuring transparency. Strict deployment of central forces: Reduces booth capturing and intimidation.
- Randomization of EVMs: Prevents tampering by political insiders.
- Observer system: Election observers monitor sensitive constituencies.
- Administrative misuse – deploying police or bureaucracy in ways that influence voting patterns.
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Public awareness campaigns: Encourage citizens to report malpractice.
It seems that the the “vote chori” allegation is the darling allegation of the losing candidates and the debate will likely continue as long as elections remain fiercely contested. However, the health of India’s democracy depends on ensuring that such allegations are addressed with facts, transparency, and accountability. Strengthening voter education, increasing audits of EVMs and VVPAT slips, and punishing those who spread false narratives irresponsibly are crucial steps.
Ultimately, democracy thrives not only on free and fair elections but also on the collective faith of citizens in the system. Protecting that faith is as important as protecting the ballot itself.
