EVMs and VVPATs are kept in a storage room ahead of the counting of votes for the Maharashtra Assembly elections, at a vote counting center in Akola on November 23. Photo Credit: ANI
AAfter the Maharashtra assembly elections, echoes of alleged Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) manipulation have reverberated across political spaces, especially from the Congress party and its allies. This story of doubt started after Congress’ unexpected defeat in Haryana, brought EVMs under scrutiny.
Congress President Mallikarjuna Kharge’s strong demand to replace EVMs and reuse ballot papers highlights repeated suspicions about the established electoral process. While such concerns deserve attention, it is equally important to assess the level of public confidence in EVMs and examine why such claims persist.
Public confidence in EVMs
If EVMs were indeed vulnerable to manipulation, public opinion – the cornerstone of any democracy – would reflect such apprehensions. Understanding how much people trust EVMs provides important insights into whether voters feel their democratic rights have been compromised. The National Election Study (NES) conducted by LokNiti-CSDS earlier this year shed light on the matter. In a survey conducted in 21 states, the study revealed that many voters have faith in EVMs. Nearly a third (31%) reported trusting machines “a lot,” while another two-fifths (43%) said they trusted them “somewhat.” This cumulative confidence – by nearly three-fourths of voters – indicates a strong vote of confidence in the EVM technology.
However, mistrust persists among a significant minority. Almost one-fifth (17%) of the respondents said they do not trust EVMs, a statistic worthy of note. This skepticism was particularly pronounced among urban voters (19%), people with college degrees (18%), and marginalized groups such as Dalits (19%) and Muslims (23%). Furthermore, mistrust was more extreme in some states than in others. This suspicion was highest in Tamil Nadu (30%), Rajasthan (24%), and Uttar Pradesh (23%). These findings indicate the need for focused electoral outreach, and confidence building measures by the Election Commission of India.
It is also important to note that confidence in EVMs has remained relatively stable over the past five years. In 2019, the then-NES study found that more than half of voters had high trust in the machines, with nearly a quarter expressing moderate trust. While these proportions remain largely consistent in 2024, the share of those who distrust EVMs has increased slightly, from 14% in 2019 to 17% in 2024. The change is in line with the Congress’ constant questioning of EVMs, which seems to be resonating among its voter base. Among those who expressed no confidence, nearly a third voted for the Congress (35%) and another one-fifth (19%) voted for its allies (Tables 1 and 2). This pattern suggests that the EVM has become a questionable political tool – a strategic plank for opposition parties rather than a concern to pressure the Election Commission of India to solve it.
Broad implications
As the main opposition party, the Congress has the right to question its electoral failures, but the greater responsibility lies with the Congress to present credible alternatives to the electorate. Relying on EVM-related conspiracy theories as the “primary” criticism of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party not only damages the integrity of democratic institutions but risks alienating voters seeking substantive change in their lives and policy solutions. For example, the allegation that the BJP “allowed” the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) to win in Jharkhand reflects a narrative that is not only implausible but fascinating.
Instead of fixating on claims that have not yet been verified by the Election Commission of India, the Congress should face a bigger question. Is the party really presenting a compelling vision for India, or is it ignoring the need for introspection by blaming its defeat on external factors? In order to make a strong comeback, the party needs to create a distinct agenda capable of countering the ideological narrative of the BJP at large. Using real-time, verifiable evidence to substantiate allegations of EVM tampering risks undermining public confidence in India’s electoral process.
Devesh Kumar is a Researcher at Lokneeti-CSDS. Sanjay Kumar is a professor at CSDS and a political commentator. Opinions expressed are personal.
published – December 18, 2024 at 08:30 PM IST