Thu Sep 18 17:10:06 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and news article based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

A controversy has erupted in Karnataka, India, regarding alleged voter fraud in the Aland Assembly constituency during the 2023 elections. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of obstructing the investigation by withholding crucial technical data (specifically, “destination IPs and destination ports”) requested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Karnataka has countered, stating that all available information was shared with the police. However, the CID claims that vital data needed to geolocate devices used to submit fraudulent voter deletion applications is still missing. An unusually high number of Form 7 applications (for voter deletion) were flagged in December 2022, prompting an investigation. While the CEO claims each application was verified, the initial complaint leading to the investigation suggested a much larger number of potentially illegal voter deletions. The investigation is ongoing, but stalled due to incomplete data.

**News Article:**

**Karnataka Vote Fraud Probe Stalled Over Missing Data: CID Claims ECI Withholding Key Information**

*Bengaluru, September 18, 2025* – A deepening controversy surrounds the investigation into alleged voter fraud in the 2023 Aland Assembly constituency elections in Karnataka. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) claims that the Election Commission of India (ECI) is obstructing the investigation by failing to provide crucial technical data needed to identify those responsible for submitting thousands of fraudulent voter deletion applications.

The allegations, initially raised by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, center on the ECI’s alleged refusal to share “destination IPs and destination ports” related to the online submission of Form 7 applications, used to remove voters from electoral rolls. In December 2022, election officials in Aland flagged over 6,000 Form 7 applications submitted online, suspecting widespread irregularities.

While the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Karnataka maintains that all available information has been handed over to the Kalaburagi district police for investigation, the CID insists that these missing data points are critical for geolocating the devices used to submit the fraudulent applications.

“During the course of the investigation, the IP logs are provided. On perusal, the destination IP and destination port are missing. Therefore, it is requested to direct the concerned to provide the same,” multiple letters from CID to CEO state.

According to CID sources, the IP addresses provided by the ECI are dynamic, making precise geolocation impossible. Destination IPs and destination ports, however, are unique identifiers that would allow investigators to pinpoint the devices used in the alleged fraud.

The Hindu has learned that the CID has sent 18 letters since September 2023 requesting this specific data, but has received no response. The CEO’s office has not addressed these specific claims.

The investigation began after a complaint filed by Former MLA B. R. Patil, raising concerns that 6,670 voters were illegally deleted. Subsequent verification by election officials found that 24 applications were genuine, while nearly 6,000 were deemed incorrect.

The lack of cooperation from the ECI, if substantiated, could have significant implications for the integrity of future elections and raises serious questions about transparency and accountability within the electoral process. The investigation remains ongoing.

**Disclaimer:** While The Hindu provided the reporting, this news article is rewritten as it would appear elsewhere.

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