A fiery debate erupted on June 8, 2025, when Rahul Gandhi alleged “match-fixing” in Maharashtra, citing a sudden addition of 3.9 to 4.1 million voters between the 2024 Lok Sabha and state assembly polls. Referencing Kamthi, where 35,000 new voters emerged within five months, he labeled it a systematic manipulation designed to favour BJP candidates.

Gandhi pressed the EC to release machine-readable voter rolls and polling CCTV footage to substantiate his claims. However, EC officials dismissed the allegations as “absurd” and defaming to polling personnel, stating no anomalies were flagged during scrutiny and only 89 appeals were filed among nearly 98 million electors.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis accused Gandhi of misunderstanding voter growth—attributing it to urbanisation—and politicising the EC to cover for electoral losses.. BJP leaders echoed this, describing Gandhi’s move as a diversionary tactic following repeated defeats.

Amid these exchanges, the EC has yet to provide detailed responses, stating it will issue a formal, procedural rebuttal once Gandhi formally approaches them.