Congress sceptical about EVM democracy, EC says it is ‘safe’ and ‘robust’

The Election Commission of India (EC) has reiterated the security and reliability of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in response to recent allegations from the Congress party regarding irregularities during the Haryana assembly elections.

Last week, Congress raised concerns over discrepancies in the battery levels of EVMs during vote counting, particularly citing that machines, where the party lost, indicated a 99% charge, while those where it won showed around 60-70%. The party claimed these anomalies suggested possible tampering, questioning the legitimacy of the results that saw the BJP win by 11 seats.

Addressing these concerns, the EC assured that EVMs are "safe" and "robust." Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar responded to the allegations while announcing the upcoming assembly election dates for Jharkhand and Maharashtra.

He stressed that the machines have been consistently used in numerous elections, producing varied results over time, implying that questioning the integrity of the machines only when results are unfavourable is unjustified.

The CEC highlighted the thorough checks and balances in place for EVMs, outlining the stages of inspection and security that the machines undergo before, during, and after elections. The First Level Checking (FLC), which occurs five to six months prior to an election, involves participation from political parties or their agents to ensure transparency.

Kumar also explained that the commissioning of EVMs, including the loading of symbols and installation of batteries, takes place five to six days before voting, with political party representatives present at every step. He emphasized that EVMs are stored securely in double-locked strongrooms under tight security by Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and observers, ensuring their safety.

Further, Kumar addressed concerns over the battery levels, clarifying that EVMs use single-use batteries designed to last for extended periods without requiring daily recharging, similar to calculator batteries. He explained that these batteries show their voltage percentage when first used, which generally reads as 99% charged.

As the battery drains over time, the EVM signals when it requires replacement, but this is a standard process unrelated to tampering. The CEC confirmed that all complaints received about the Haryana election would be addressed individually, and the commission would release detailed FAQs to clarify concerns raised by political parties and candidates.

In addition to the Congress’s claims regarding EVM batteries, a party leader raised questions about the possibility of tampering with EVMs, referencing technological capabilities used in warfare, such as pagers and walkie-talkies. The EC refuted such comparisons, underscoring that EVMs are not connected to external networks, making them immune to such forms of interference.

Despite the Election Commission's reassurances, Congress continues to express dissatisfaction with the Haryana election results, describing them as unexpected and accusing the system of undermining democracy. The EC, however, remains firm that EVMs are secure and function independently of external power sources, citing their use in many elections without evidence of tampering.

The EC also did not address concerns from previous reports following the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, which highlighted a discrepancy between the number of votes polled and the final voter turnout. These concerns were raised in reports by Vote for Democracy and the Association for Democratic Reforms.