A recent government study from Karnataka has presented findings that stand in stark contrast to the persistent allegations of "vote chori" or vote theft made by the ruling Congress party against the Election Commission and the BJP. The report, compiled by the state-run Karnataka Monitoring and Evaluation Authority (KMEA), indicates a reasonably high level of public trust in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and a strong belief that the recent general elections were conducted freely and fairly.
Survey Reveals Widespread Confidence in Electoral Process
The KMEA report, which was based on a survey of 5,100 respondents across the four divisions of Belagavi, Bengaluru, Kalaburagi, and Mysuru, was published in August but only recently entered the public domain. The data reveals a significant public endorsement of the electoral machinery. Across the regions surveyed, there is a notably strong belief that the 2024 Lok Sabha elections were free and fair.
Interestingly, the highest levels of trust were recorded in the Kalaburagi division, which is the home turf of AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and his son, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge. Both leaders have been vocal supporters of Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi's allegations of electoral malpractice.
Key Regional Findings from the Report
The survey data provides a detailed regional breakdown of public opinion:
In Kalaburagi, a remarkable 83% of respondents expressed trust in EVMs, and 85% believed the 2024 elections were free and fair. This division also led in awareness of the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) system, with 83% of people reporting direct voting experience with it.
The Bengaluru and Belagavi divisions each saw 64% of respondents trusting the accuracy of EVMs. When it came to perceiving the elections as free and fair, 67% in Bengaluru and 72% in Mysuru held this belief.
Contrast with Political Rhetoric and Implications
These findings create a clear dichotomy between the ground-level sentiment captured by the state government's own evaluation body and the political narrative advanced by the state's ruling party. The Congress has repeatedly alleged collusion between the Election Commission and the BJP, with some leaders even advocating for a return to ballot papers in local body elections.
The KMEA, established to monitor and evaluate state projects and schemes, has inadvertently shed light on voter confidence. The report's publication adds a new dimension to the ongoing political debate, offering empirical data that challenges the core of the "vote chori" allegations. It underscores a potential disconnect between the political discourse and the perceptions of the electorate in Karnataka regarding the integrity of the electoral process.
