Congress questions 99% EVM battery level, demands concrete answers from ECI.
A Congress delegation submitted a memorandum to Election Commission officials, highlighting specific complaints from multiple constituencies in Haryana. The concerns primarily revolved around the functioning of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), with the party questioning the 99% battery level displayed in some machines. Congress expressed doubts about the integrity and reliability of the machines, urging the Election Commission to provide concrete answers and ensure transparency in the electoral process. The delegation emphasized that these issues need immediate attention, as they could potentially impact the outcome of the elections. The party demanded thorough investigations into the reported irregularities.
Following a crucial meeting with officials from the Election Commission of India (ECI), senior Congress leader Pawan Khera raised concerns regarding the functioning of electronic voting machines (EVMs) during the recent Haryana Assembly elections. Speaking on Wednesday, Khera highlighted that the party had brought to the attention of the poll body various irregularities in the EVMs across multiple constituencies.
The Congress leader emphasized the unusual nature of the battery levels in the EVMs, pointing out that after a considerable period following the elections, it seemed unnatural for the machines to still reflect a 99% battery level. It shows 99%. This is unnatural,” Khera remarked, questioning the integrity of the EVMs. The disparity in battery levels, with some machines showing much lower percentages, raised further suspicion about the machines’ functionality and reliability.
Khera’s concerns are rooted in the broader trust deficit that has emerged in recent years surrounding the use of EVMs in Indian elections. While the Election Commission has repeatedly assured the public that EVMs are tamper-proof and reliable, opposition parties, including the Congress, have consistently raised doubts. The issue of EVM battery levels now adds another layer of complexity to these ongoing concerns.
Congress’ apprehensions are not limited to the seven constituencies with written complaints. Khera further revealed that similar issues had surfaced in 13 other assembly constituencies, although the party had yet to submit formal complaints in these cases. He promised that the Congress would compile and submit additional complaints to the ECI within the next 48 hours.
This development comes at a critical juncture for the Congress, as it looks to regain its political footing in Haryana. The state, which has traditionally swung between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has seen a surge in political activity ahead of the next election cycle. Any irregularities in the electoral process, especially involving the integrity of EVMs, could have significant political implications for both the Congress and its rivals.
The Congress delegation that met with the ECI was a high-powered team comprising several senior leaders, including former chief ministers Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Ashok Gehlot, as well as key All India Congress Committee (AICC) leaders like K C Venugopal, Jairam Ramesh, Ajay Maken, and Pawan Khera. Haryana Congress chief Udai Bhan was also part of the delegation. The presence of such top-tier leaders underscores the importance the party is attaching to these complaints.
The memorandum handed over to the ECI detailed the specific complaints from the various constituencies in Haryana. It sought immediate redressal of these concerns and demanded transparency from the poll body regarding the functioning of EVMs. The Congress believes that the integrity of the election process must be upheld to ensure free and fair elections, especially in a politically charged environment like Haryana.
In response, the Election Commission assured the Congress delegation that it would look into the complaints and conduct necessary investigations. However, the party remains cautious, urging the poll body to take swift action and provide clear answers to their concerns. The Congress also requested that the ECI make the findings of its investigations public to restore faith in the electoral process.
In the past, several opposition parties, including the Congress, have voiced concerns over the machines’ vulnerability to tampering and malfunction. These allegations have often surfaced in the aftermath of elections, particularly when results have not gone in favor of the opposition. While the ECI has consistently defended the integrity of the machines, the battery-level anomaly reported by the Congress is a new concern that has raised fresh doubts.
As the Congress compiles more complaints and submits them to the ECI, the party is likely to intensify its pressure on the poll body. The coming days will be critical, as the ECI’s response could either quell the concerns raised or deepen the skepticism surrounding the use of EVMs in Indian elections. Congress’ insistence on transparency and accountability in the electoral process is a reflection of the party’s broader strategy to challenge what it perceives as flaws in the current system.
For now, the ball is in the Election Commission’s court, and all eyes are on how the poll body addresses the serious allegations raised by the Congress. Given the significance of free and fair elections in upholding the democratic framework of the country, this issue is bound to gain more traction in the coming days.