Congress Raises ‘Vote Chori’ Allegation, Flags ‘Temporary Voters’ in Assam Electoral Rolls

The Congress has intensified its allegation of “vote chori” (vote theft) in Assam, claiming that the ongoing revision of electoral rolls has led to the inclusion of “temporary voters” who are not genuine residents of the state, a move the party alleges could influence the outcome of the 2026 Assembly elections.
The charge was raised following the publication of the draft electoral rolls after a Special Revision exercise conducted by the Election Commission in Assam. Senior Congress leaders alleged that names of people with no permanent link to Assam have appeared in voter lists across several constituencies, sparking concerns over the integrity of the electoral process.
Leader of the Opposition in the Assam Assembly Debabrata Saikia said the party had received complaints from multiple districts, where local residents flagged unfamiliar names in the draft rolls. He alleged that these individuals were being added as “temporary voters” and warned that such inclusions could alter electoral outcomes in closely contested seats.
The Congress has written to the Election Commission of India (ECI), seeking immediate intervention and a thorough verification of the draft rolls. The party has demanded that the finalisation of the electoral rolls be halted until all objections are examined and questionable entries removed. Congress leaders also staged protests in Guwahati, accusing the ruling BJP of attempting to manipulate the voter list ahead of the elections.
Election officials, however, have rejected the allegations. Officials from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Assam, clarified that the Special Revision was carried out as per established norms and that Indian citizens residing in Assam are legally entitled to be enrolled as voters, irrespective of how long they have lived in the state. They added that the draft rolls are open to public scrutiny and that political parties and citizens can file objections and seek deletions through the prescribed process during the claims and objections period.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also dismissed the Congress’s claims, urging the Opposition to follow due process instead of making what he termed “baseless allegations.” He said the Election Commission functions independently and any genuine discrepancy can be addressed through legal and constitutional mechanisms.
The controversy has added to the growing political tension in Assam, where voter list revisions, citizenship concerns and migration-related issues remain highly sensitive. With the Assembly elections approaching, the debate over electoral rolls is expected to intensify further in the coming weeks.