Congress’ EVM allegations: legitimate concern or strategic diversion?

• The alleged Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) manipulation in the Maharashtra Assembly elections has resurfaced, particularly from the Congress party and its allies.

• Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s demand to replace EVM with ballot papers has sparked skepticism about the electoral process.

• The National Election Study (NES) revealed that a significant majority of voters expressed confidence in EVMs, with 31% trusting them “a lot” and 43% “somewhat”.

• However, a significant minority, 17%, did not trust EVMs at all, particularly among urban voters, college-educated individuals, and marginalized groups.

• Distrust in EVMs has remained relatively steady over the past five years, with a slight rise in distrust from 14% in 2019 to 17% in 2024.

• This scepticism has become a political tool for Opposition parties, with nearly one-third of those expressing distrust voting for Congress and another one-third for its allies.

• Congress must present credible alternatives to voters and confront allegations of EVM manipulation without real-time, veriable evidence.