'Vote Chori' Controversy Has a History Dating Back Nearly 150 Years

Allegations of electoral fraud and manipulation are not new to politics. One of the most prominent historical examples dates back to the 1876 US presidential election between Republican candidate Rutherford B. Hayes and Democrat Samuel J. Tilden. The election triggered a major national controversy, with both parties raising allegations of fraud, ballot manipulation and voter intimidation. Disputed results in several states led to a prolonged political crisis, which was eventually resolved through a special electoral commission and a political compromise.

In India, the phrase 'Vote Chori' gained widespread political attention in August 2025 after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi raised allegations of irregularities in electoral rolls. He cited issues such as duplicate voter registrations, invalid addresses and suspicious entries. The Congress subsequently launched a campaign around the slogan, while the Election Commission rejected the allegations and sought supporting evidence. The debate has brought renewed attention to voter lists, ballot processes and the transparency of elections.