Congress alleges EVM hacking after Haryana election setback, seeks probe
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Following a major electoral defeat in Haryana, Congress leaders met with the Election Commission to file a formal complaint, claiming that Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) had been hacked.
Party spokesperson Pawan Khera stated that the alleged hacking occurred in 20 constituencies.
The Congress provided documentary evidence for seven seats, including Karnal, Dabwali, Rewari, Panipat City, Hodal, Kalka, and Narnaul, and promised to submit evidence for the remaining 13 seats within 48 hours.
Khera emphasized the party's demand for all EVMs to be sealed and secured until a thorough investigation is completed. The Congress memorandum to the Election Commission stressed that fair and transparent vote counting is essential for free and fair elections, as mandated by the Constitution.
Former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who led the Congress campaign in the state, expressed disbelief at the results, remarking that the outcome was unexpected. He pointed out that while Congress traditionally leads when postal ballots are counted, the numbers start declining once votes from EVMs are tallied.
In the recent elections, Congress secured 37 of Haryana’s 90 seats, falling short of the BJP, which won 48 seats and claimed a historic third term. As vote counting progressed, Congress leaders described the results as "unacceptable" and blamed EVM hacking, prompting mockery from BJP supporters.
The Election Commission has denied any issues with EVMs.
In a letter to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, the Commission criticized Congress leaders' statements as an undemocratic rejection of the election results, which were conducted according to the country’s statutory and regulatory framework.