The confrontation between Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and the Election Commission of India has opened a troubling new chapter in the political discourse of the country. By accusing the Commission of colluding with the ruling party to “steal” votes, Mr Gandhi has hurled one of the gravest charges imaginable in a democracy. The Commission, in turn, has responded with unusual sharpness, demanding either an affidavit or an apology. What should have been a sober debate over the integrity of the electoral roll has now snowballed into a test of credibility between a constitutional body and the Leader of the Opposition. Mr Gandhi’s allegations are not without context. Concerns about inflated or manipulated voter lists have been part of Indian elections for decades.

The problem lies in the manner of his campaign. Instead of placing evidence on record through the mechanisms available ~ such as election petitions or formal........

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