New Delhi, Aug. 18 -- Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar launched a sharp counter to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's 'vote chori' allegations, calling them an insult to India's democracy and Constitution. In his first press conference since taking office in February, Kumar said Gandhi must either submit proof on affidavit within seven days or apologise to the nation, stressing that no third option exists. He underlined the integrity of the Election Commission, the credibility of India's 90 crore voters, and the transparency of the election process involving over one crore officials and lakhs of agents.

On the issue of duplicate voter IDs, Kumar explained that the matter had been addressed earlier this year when about three lakh suc...