Vote Adhikar Yatra ON Vote Chori - Beyond Borders By Prajila

The Hindu editorial on 29/08/2025 criticizes the Election Commission of India (ECI) for a lack of transparency that has created a deep trust deficit among the opposition. This is evident in Bihar, where Rahul Gandhi's 'Vote Adhikar Yatra' has united opposition parties around the central theme of 'vote chori', turning the electoral process itself into the main election issue instead of governance. The editorial argues that the ECI's own conduct has added credence to these allegations. Specifically, it points to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar, which saw approximately 65 lakh names removed, allegedly of predominantly marginalised sections, and the ECI's reluctance to accept Aadhaar without Supreme Court intervention. While noting that many of the opposition's charges may be exaggerated, it concludes they are a sign of profound institutional distrust. This situation has left the opposition with little choice but to discredit the electoral process, which is a "sad commentary on India’s democracy.