The All India Congress Committee (AICC) launched a nationwide signature campaign today, aiming to collect 5 crore signatures to petition the President of India regarding allegations of ‘Vote Chori’ and other electoral malpractices. This initiative kicked off on September 15 and will run until October 15.
Addressing media at Omoh, Verinag in South Kashmir’s Anantnag, AICC General Secretary G.A. Mir highlighted that the campaign focuses on increasing public awareness about voting rights amid claims of malpractices. Mir emphasized that their drive aims to combat what he describes as the ‘theft of votes orchestrated through collusion’ between the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the BJP.
During his statement, Mir raised alarms over alleged deletions of approximately 65 lakh votes in Bihar, calling it a “murder of democracy.” He said, “Our petition underscores the critical importance of every vote and the need for vigilant electoral rights protection—this is a first for our democracy since Independence.”
“We are aiming for 5 crore signatures to present the petition to the President. Our campaign has made people aware of the importance of their vote and sensitized them to the protection of electoral rights,” noted Mir.
Mir continued, asserting that across India, voters experience harassment, with reports of both deletions and additions of votes and difficulties in reaching polling booths. “Vote Chori is a crime, a blot on democracy, and a direct assault on the electoral rights of people,” he asserted.
He further stated that Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has been vocal in exposing systematic manipulation including both deletion of genuine voters and registration of fake votes. This manipulation appears prevalent in states such as Maharashtra, Karnataka, and now Bihar under the SIR.
Mir affirmed that the AICC, under the guidance of Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, will relentlessly combat the alleged ‘ECI-BJP nexus’ to defend voter identity and electoral rights.
“Powerful start to the Signature Campaign against ‘Vote Chori’ today in Doru Constituency, Anantnag! Hundreds of committed workers joined from my own polling booth to safeguard our democracy. Every signature counts! We won’t let our voices be stolen,” Mir expressed on social media.
MLA Nizam Ud Din Bhat also participated in the campaign, calling it an “indigenous people’s movement” initiated by Rahul Gandhi to defend democracy and the rights of voters. The campaign has garnered support from various corners, urging citizens to come forward and safeguard their democratic rights amidst growing concerns of electoral integrity.
