In Karnataka survey, 85% people trust EVM (file photo)
Digital Desk, New Delhi. A survey conducted in Karnataka regarding voter confidence in EVMs has created a new uproar. In the survey, 85 percent of the 5,100 voters of Karnataka Monitoring and Evaluation Authority expressed confidence in EVMs and described the 2024 Lok Sabha elections as free and fair.
On one hand, BJP gave a befitting reply to Congress' 'vote theft' theory on this survey, while on the other hand, IT Minister Priyank Kharge described the survey as separate from the state government and raised questions on its design, conducting agency and sample size.
Karnataka Information Technology Minister Priyank Kharge questioned the agency that designed and conducted the survey and emphasized that it was not approved or ordered by the state government.
The survey of knowledge-attitude-behavior of 5,100 voters was conducted by the Karnataka Monitoring and Evaluation Authority under the Union Planning and Statistics Department. The survey found that the public has tremendous confidence in EVMs.
Congress's vote theft exposed again
On this survey, BJP state unit chief BY Vijayendra posted on X expressing happiness, 'Congress's 'vote theft' exposed once again! The survey report published by the Government of Karnataka clearly shows that a large majority of our people believe that elections in India are conducted freely and fairly.
Vijayendra, son of former BJP chief minister BS Yediyurappa, said, "This is a direct attack on Rahul Gandhi who, unable to accept repeated election failures, chose to coin the slogan of 'vote theft' and launch a reckless campaign casting doubt on the Election Commission."
Meanwhile, Karnataka's Information Technology Minister Priyank Kharge denied any connection between his administration and the survey. He said that it has not been approved by the state government. Apparently the Election Commission requested the State Election Commission and took the help of an NGO, run by either Balakrishnan or Balasubramaniam.
Priyank Kharge further said that BJP will have to explain about the 'vote theft' that happened in Kalaburagi and Aland. Referring to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's data-based claims, he said the Election Commission and the BJP had colluded to carry out large-scale deletion of voters' names ahead of the 2023 Karnataka and 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Priyank Kharge also asked questions about the design and structure of the survey and said what is the size of the survey data? 5,000 people or something in more than 110 constituencies….