The All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary G.A. Mir announced the launch of a nationwide signature campaign on September 15, 2023, aimed at collecting 5 crore signatures to petition the President of India regarding alleged “Vote Chori” and significant electoral irregularities. The campaign, scheduled to run until October 15, 2023, seeks to raise awareness about what the Congress party describes as a coordinated theft of votes orchestrated by the Election Commission of India (ECI) in collaboration with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
During a press briefing in Omoh, Verinag, located in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district, Mir emphasized how the campaign has sparked a new sense of urgency around voting rights among citizens. He stated, “Our campaign has made people aware of the importance of their vote and sensitized them to the protection of electoral rights — a first since Independence.” This initiative reflects a growing discontent among voters who suspect that their electoral rights may be compromised.
Mir pointed out alarming data, claiming that around 65 lakh votes have allegedly been deleted in Bihar, categorizing this incident as a “murder of democracy.” The General Secretary accused the BJP and ECI of colluding to manipulate voter registration, asserting that the campaign aims to halt actions that threaten the integrity of India’s electoral process.
“We are aiming for 5 crore signatures to present the petition to the President. Our efforts will make people aware of the need to protect their electoral rights,” Mir declared.
The campaign’s core message revolves around denouncing what they term “Vote Chori,” defining it as a crime and direct affront to democracy. Mir further alleged that throughout India, cases of voters being unable to access polling booths or being unjustly removed from voter rolls have become increasingly common.
Mir highlighted that the Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has consistently raised concerns about electoral manipulations, particularly focusing on the deletion of legitimate voters and the registration of fictitious votes. He cited examples from various states such as Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Bihar, pointing out systemic flaws that compromise the integrity of elections.
Under the leadership of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, the party commits to combating the alleged ‘ECI-BJP nexus’ that undermines democratic processes. Mir quoted on social media, stating, “Powerful start to the Signature Campaign against ‘Vote Chori’ today in Doru Constituency, Anantnag! Every signature counts! We won’t let our voices be stolen.”
Adding to the momentum of this movement, MLA Nizam Ud Din Bhat described the campaign as an “indigenous people’s movement” initiated by Rahul Gandhi. He reinforced the importance of safeguarding democracy and the fundamental right to vote, emphasizing that this campaign signifies collective action against electoral malpractice.
As the Congress Party progresses with this campaign, it hopes to galvanize support from citizens across the nation. The initiative has the potential to ignite a broad discussion on democratic rights and electoral integrity, aiming to create awareness among the electorate regarding their voting rights and the significance of safeguarding them.