Election Commission Refutes Congress’ Claims of EVM Tampering in Karnataka Polls
The Election Commission has rejected the claims made by the Indian National Congress that the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) used in the Karnataka Assembly elections were previously used in South Africa. The Commission dismissed these allegations as “rumours” and asked the Congress to identify and publicly expose the sources that spread false information.
On May 8, the Congress party had written a letter to the Election Commission expressing their concerns and seeking clarification about the supposed “re-use” of EVMs in the Karnataka election. The party alleged that the machines were not re-validated or re-verified after their use in South Africa.
However, in a letter to the Congress’ Randeep Singh Surjewala on May 11, the Election Commission clarified that it used new EVMs from the Electronics Corporation of India Limited for the southern state’s elections.
The use of EVMs in elections has been a controversial topic in India, with some opposition parties questioning the reliability and safety of these machines. The Election Commission has consistently defended the use of EVMs and stated that they are tamper-proof and reliable.
The Election Commission (EC) of India has categorically denied the allegations made by the Indian National Congress (INC) that the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) used in the Karnataka Assembly elections were previously used in South Africa. The EC has stated that neither were the EVMs sent to South Africa, nor does the country use those machines.
Citing records, the EC has claimed that the Congress had specific knowledge that only newly produced EVMs from the Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) would be used in the Karnataka elections. The poll panel further added that it has confirmation of the participation of INC representatives at each stage of EVM movement and commissioning in the Karnataka elections.
However, the EC reportedly withheld an immediate response in view of the “silence period” and the serious potential of the spread of false information on the eve of the polls.
The EC has now asked the Congress to publicly expose the sources of false information with serious potential for rumor-mongering and bring them to justice. The poll panel has also sought confirmation of the action taken by 5:00 PM on May 15.
The use of EVMs in elections has been a contentious issue in India, with some opposition parties alleging tampering and questioning the reliability and safety of these machines. The EC, on the other hand, has maintained that EVMs are tamper-proof and reliable.
