Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar on Tuesday firmly dismissed allegations from the Congress about tampering with electronic voting machines (EVMs) in Haryana asserting that that EVMs are 100% foolproof. Addressing the charges, Kumar reiterated the reliability and integrity of EVMs, which have come under scrutiny following the recent Haryana Assembly election results.
Kumar responded directly to Congress’ complaints, which focus on the functioning of EVMs in 20 assembly constituencies. He stated that the Election Commission (EC) would address each concern in a detailed, “fact-by-fact” manner. “We will respond to all 20 complaints individually, with facts by sending a detailed reply to all the candidates,” said Kumar during a press briefing.
The controversy escalated after Congress candidates alleged that certain EVMs showed a 99% battery charge even after an entire day of use during the counting process on October 8 in the state. These complaints prompted Congress to question the credibility of the machines and demand explanations from the Election Commission.
However, the CEC was resolute in his defense of the voting system. “EVMs are 100 percent foolproof, If questions are raised today, we will respond with clarity again tomorrow. The public itself answers these questions by actively participating in the electoral process.” Kumar pointed to the high voter turnout as evidence of the public’s continued faith in the democratic system and the EVMs.
The complaints from Congress came in the wake of the party’s unexpected defeat in the Haryana Assembly elections, where it failed to secure a majority, despite expectations of a resurgence following 10 years of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rule. On October 9, senior Congress leaders, led by General Secretary Jairam Ramesh, submitted a memorandum to the Election Commission highlighting concerns about alleged irregularities in the election process in 20 constituencies.
Congress further intensified its efforts by submitting an updated memorandum on October 12, detailing the party’s grievances about the EVMs. In his statement, Ramesh expressed hope that the EC would take cognizance of these complaints and act accordingly. “We have submitted clear evidence of discrepancies, and we expect the EC to issue appropriate instructions,” Ramesh said, posting his remarks on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
Among the allegations are claims that the machines showed unusually high battery levels, raising suspicions of tampering. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera also reiterated the party’s concerns, stating that candidates from 20 seats had formally submitted both written and verbal complaints regarding EVM malfunctions. “Our candidates have submitted their complaints, and we expect the EC to act with urgency,” Khera said.
However, CEC emphasized that EVMs have been subjected to rigorous testing and certification processes, ensuring their accuracy and reliability. He added that the machines had been used successfully in multiple elections, including those in Jammu and Kashmir, and enjoyed wide public support.
The row over EVMs comes as the Election Commission announced the dates for upcoming state assembly polls in Jharkhand and Maharashtra, with Congress leaders hoping that their concerns will be addressed before voters head to the polls in these key states. EC dismisses Congress’ allegations over Haryana poll results, reaffirms EVM Integrity
