Majority Trusts EVMs, Karnataka Govt Survey Finds; BJP Hits Back at Rahul Gandhi

A survey commissioned by the Congress-led Karnataka government on the 2024 Lok Sabha elections has revealed strong public confidence in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), intensifying the political clash between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over the credibility of India’s electoral process.

According to the findings, over 83 per cent of respondents said they trust EVMs, directly contradicting repeated claims by Rahul Gandhi alleging voter fraud and manipulation. The survey, titled Evaluation of Endline Survey of KAP (Knowledge, Attitude and Practice) of Citizens, found that 69.39 per cent of participants agreed that EVMs provide accurate election results, while another 14.22 per cent strongly agreed with the statement.

The survey was conducted across 102 Assembly constituencies, covering 5,100 respondents in Karnataka’s four major administrative divisions—Bengaluru, Belagavi, Kalaburagi and Mysuru. It was commissioned by the Karnataka government through the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, V Anbukumar, to assess public perception following the 2024 parliamentary elections.

Division-wise data highlighted variations in levels of confidence, though overall trust remained high. Kalaburagi recorded the strongest faith in EVMs, with more than 94 per cent respondents either agreeing or strongly agreeing that the machines are reliable. Mysuru followed closely, while Belagavi also reported substantial confidence levels. Bengaluru division showed comparatively lower strong agreement but still reflected a clear majority expressing trust in EVMs. Neutral responses were highest in Bengaluru, indicating a more cautious but not adversarial outlook toward the voting system.

The findings triggered a sharp political response from the BJP, which seized on the data to counter Rahul Gandhi’s narrative questioning electoral integrity. The party argued that the survey—conducted under a Congress-led state government—demonstrated that voters themselves trust India’s election mechanisms.

Reacting to the report, BJP Karnataka Leader of Opposition R Ashok said the data exposed what he described as the contradiction between Congress leadership’s rhetoric and public opinion. He stated that for years, Rahul Gandhi has claimed that Indian democracy is under threat and that institutions such as the Election Commission cannot be trusted, while the Karnataka survey showed the opposite.

The BJP also criticised the Congress-led government under Siddaramaiah for deciding to conduct local body elections using ballot papers instead of EVMs. According to the BJP, this move undermines technological transparency and revives a system historically associated with delays and manipulation.

Party leaders further accused Congress of selectively questioning institutions when it loses elections while endorsing the same systems when results are favourable. The BJP described this approach as opportunistic and said the survey results reflected public confidence in democratic processes rather than political narratives.

Rahul Gandhi has consistently alleged irregularities in recent elections and accused the Election Commission of India of failing to address concerns over alleged EVM tampering. However, the Election Commission has repeatedly rejected such claims, maintaining that EVMs are secure, tamper-proof, and subject to rigorous verification protocols.

The Karnataka survey now adds a new dimension to the national debate, suggesting that despite political allegations, voter trust in the electoral system remains largely intact. As the EVM controversy continues to feature prominently in political discourse, the findings underscore a clear divergence between political messaging and public perception.