After the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, questions were raised once again on EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines). Many defeated candidates complained that there was a glitch in the EVMs. This time the Supreme Court took a big decision. The court said that two defeated candidates from each constituency can get the EVM examined. This was the first time such an opportunity was given. Let us know the detailed information of this whole matter.
Permission granted for Investigation
The Election Commission followed the court’s order. It said that candidates who want can demand matching of EVMs and VVPATs within 7 days of the results. This was called the EVM-VVPAT Checking and Verification (C&V) process.
Number of Complaints
There are 543 Lok Sabha seats across the country. Out of these, complaints came from only 8 seats. These complaints were related to 92 polling booths in 6 states. Apart from this, 3 complaints were received from 26 booths of 2 states in the assembly elections.
From which states did the complaints come?
Tamil Nadu: Two complaints came from here. Candidates from Vellore and Virudhunagar seats demanded EVM investigation.
Maharashtra: BJP’s Sujay Vikhe Patil complained from Ahmednagar. He had lost to the NCP candidate.
Haryana: Three complaints came from here. One complaint was on the victory of former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar. Congress candidates also complained from Faridabad and Karnal.
Chhattisgarh: Congress candidate from Kanker Lok Sabha constituency complained.
Telangana: BJP candidate complained after losing from Zaheerabad seat.
Andhra Pradesh: Three complaints came from here. YSR Congress candidates complained from one Lok Sabha and two assembly seats.
Odisha: BJD candidate from Jharsuguda Lok Sabha constituency demanded investigation of 13 polling stations.
Result of Investigation
No irregularities have been found in EVMs in the investigation so far. Investigation is still going on only in Tamil Nadu. Investigation has been completed in all other places. The Election Commission is trying to complete the investigation of EVMs in the entire country by September 1.
No, some complaints could not be investigated. In two cases, the complainants themselves did not come for investigation. In two other cases, the candidates had filed a case in the court, so the investigation stopped.
EVM controversy
Raising questions on EVMs is not a new thing. This has happened in many previous elections as well. The losing parties have often raised questions on EVMs. But till now no investigation has found any fault in EVMs.
Will the EVM controversy end now?
After this investigation, it is expected that the questions raised on EVMs will be reduced. But it is difficult to say that the controversy will end completely. The Election Commission is constantly trying to keep people’s trust on EVMs intact.
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