At a time when Congress leader Rahul Gandhi continues to raise questions over the credibility of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), a government-backed survey in Karnataka has revealed strong public trust in the electoral process. The findings have triggered sharp reactions from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which used the data to counter Rahul Gandhi’s claims.
The survey was conducted by the Karnataka Monitoring and Evaluation Authority (KMEA) in August 2024, following the general elections. The report was released recently and has since become a major point of political debate in the state.
Strong Public Confidence in EVMs
According to the survey, 83.61 percent of respondents said they trust EVMs. Meanwhile, 69.39 percent agreed that EVMs deliver accurate election results. The report also stated that 91.31 percent of people believed elections in India were conducted in a free and transparent manner.
The survey covered around 5,100 respondents across 102 Assembly constituencies. Officials collected feedback from both urban and rural areas in the Bengaluru, Belagavi, Kalaburagi, and Mysuru divisions, ensuring broad regional representation.
BJP Hits Out at Rahul Gandhi
Reacting to the findings, Karnataka BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition R. Ashok strongly criticised the Congress leadership. He said Rahul Gandhi has repeatedly claimed that Indian democracy is under threat and that EVMs are unreliable.
“Karnataka has proved him wrong. People trust EVMs, elections, and democratic institutions,” Ashok said. He termed the survey results a “clear rejection” of Congress allegations.
Ashok also questioned the Siddaramaiah government’s proposal to conduct local body elections using ballot papers, calling it a backward step that ignores public opinion.
Political Debate Intensifies
The survey has added fresh momentum to the ongoing national debate on EVMs, especially ahead of upcoming elections. While Congress continues to demand reforms, BJP leaders cite the Karnataka survey as proof of public confidence in India’s electoral system.
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