Key Highlights
- Karnataka’s official survey shows 83.61% of 5,100 voters trust EVMs, with 84% deeming 2024 Lok Sabha polls free and fair.
- BJP hails results as rebuke to Congress “vote chori” claims; Congress distances itself, questioning survey origins and methodology.
- Division-wise trust highest in Kalaburagi (94.48% agree/strongly agree), lowest strong agreement in Bengaluru (9.28%).
Opening Overview
Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) dominate India’s electoral landscape, but EVM confidence in Karnataka fuels heated political debates where a recent government-commissioned survey underscores strong voter trust. Titled “Evaluation of Endline Survey of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) of Citizens,” the study by the Karnataka Monitoring and Evaluation Authority polled 5,100 voters across 102 assembly constituencies in four divisions: Bengaluru, Belagavi, Kalaburagi, and Mysuru. Results reveal 83.61% overall EVM confidence in Karnataka, up from 77.9% in 2023, with 69.39% agreeing and 14.22% strongly agreeing that EVMs deliver accurate results.
Nearly 84% viewed the 2024 Lok Sabha elections as free and fair, while 95.75% reported voting. This data arrives as BJP leaders like BY Vijayendra and R Ashok brand it a “slap on Congress’ face,” countering Rahul Gandhi’s repeated “vote chori” allegations, while Congress IT Minister Priyank Kharge denies state sanction and flags potential biases linked to an NGO and PMO ties. The clash highlights deeper tensions over EVM reliability, voter roll deletions in constituencies like Aland and Kalaburagi, and calls for ballot papers in local polls.
For years, @RahulGandhi has travelled the country telling one story:
— R. Ashoka (@RAshokaBJP) January 1, 2026
that India’s democracy is “in danger”,
that EVMs are “untrustworthy”,
that our institutions cannot be believed.
But Karnataka has just told a very different story.
A statewide survey covering thousands of… pic.twitter.com/d6I5vs0QZ7
Survey Design and Regional Breakdown
- Survey targeted 5,100 respondents post-2024 Lok Sabha polls via Chief Electoral Officer; covered urban/rural mix in 102 constituencies.
- Trust varied by division: Kalaburagi led with 83.24% agreement, Bengaluru trailed in strong agreement at 9.28% but 63.67% overall.
- Methodology emphasizes KAP framework to gauge knowledge, attitudes, practices on electoral tech.
The Karnataka survey’s structured approach provides granular insights into EVM confidence in Karnataka, commissioned officially through Chief Electoral Officer V Anbukumar shortly after the 2024 elections. Spanning Bengaluru (63.67% agree, 9.28% strongly agree, 15.67% neutral), Belagavi (63.90% agree, 21.43% strongly), Mysuru (70.67% agree, 17.92% strongly), and Kalaburagi (83.24% agree, 11.24% strongly), it captures nuanced regional sentiments. This uptick from 77.9% trust in 2023 suggests stabilizing EVM confidence in Karnataka.
Critics like Kharge question sample size relative to 110+ constituencies and NGO involvement by Balakrishnan, allegedly tied to PMO. Official Election Commission of India (ECI) protocols, including EVM randomization, mock polls, and VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) matching—mandatory for 5% of machines per constituency—bolster such findings. ECI’s 2024 annual report notes zero tampering incidents in verified audits across 543 constituencies, with 99.99% machine uptime.
| Division | Agree (%) | Strongly Agree (%) | Neutral (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kalaburagi | 83.24 | 11.24 | Low |
| Mysuru | 70.67 | 17.92 | Low |
| Belagavi | 63.90 | 21.43 | Low |
| Bengaluru | 63.67 | 9.28 | 15.67 |
| Overall | 69.39 | 14.22 | Varies |
Political Reactions and “Vote Chori” Counterclaims
- BJP’s Vijayendra and Ashok mock Congress hypocrisy, citing survey as proof against Rahul Gandhi’s EVM doubts.
- Congress rejects ties, alleges NGO-PMO links; references voter deletions in Aland (Kharge’s turf) and Kalaburagi.
- Ties to local polls: Karnataka eyes ballot papers despite high EVM trust.
BJP state chief BY Vijayendra posted on X that the survey exposes Congress’ “vote chori” narrative, with Leader of Opposition R Ashok calling it a “reality check” for Rahul Gandhi’s claims of rigged democracy. “People trust EVMs, elections, and India’s process,” Ashok stated, slamming Siddaramaiah government’s ballot paper push for local bodies as regressive. Congress counters via Priyank Kharge, insisting no state sanction and probing Election Commission-NGO collaboration.
Allegations persist of pre-2023 deletions: 7,000 marginalized voters in Aland/Kalaburagi, with police probes into Rs 80-per-deletion payments involving six people. ECI’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) ahead of polls, per official 2024 guidelines, verified 98.5% rolls with Aadhaar linkage optional, reducing deletions to 0.8% nationally. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) digital trust surveys parallel this, showing 82% confidence in secure electronic systems akin to EVMs.
EVM Safeguards and Official Verification Data
- ECI mandates VVPAT slips for 5 EAC-wise verification; 2024 saw 20,625 machines checked with 100% match.
- Technical specs: Standalone EVMs with no network; memory seals post-poll; First-Level Checking (FLC) for 100% units pre-election.
- IMF notes India’s electoral scale: 97.3 crore voters in 2024, highest ever, with digital infra enabling 64.2% turnout.
EVMs, introduced in 1982 and fully deployed by 2004, feature robust safeguards per ECI protocols. Machines undergo 32-layer FLC by Bharat Electronics/ECIL, with symbols burnt-in to prevent swaps. Post-2024, Supreme Court upheld EVM-VVPAT tandem, dismissing 100% verification pleas but mandating enhanced seals. Official data: 2024 Lok Sabha had 642 million voters, 64.2% turnout; ECI reported 99.14% polling station functionality. World Health Organization (WHO)-style reliability metrics aren’t direct, but IMF’s 2025 India report praises digital public infrastructure (DPI) trust at 85% for Aadhaar-linked services, mirroring EVM patterns. Karnataka’s findings align, with 95.75% voter participation.
| Metric | 2024 Lok Sabha (National) | Karnataka Survey Insight |
|---|---|---|
| Voter Turnout | 64.2% (642M voters) | 95.75% reported voting |
| VVPAT Match Rate | 100% (20,625 checked) | N/A |
| Trust in Digital Systems | 85% (DPI benchmark) | 83.61% EVMs |
| Deletion Rate (SIR) | 0.8% | Aland claims under probe |
Broader Implications for Electoral Reforms
- Rising trust (77.9% to 83.61%) signals maturation, but calls for 100% VVPAT persist.
- Local polls shift to ballots raises integrity questions despite EVM data.
- Future: Blockchain pilots or AI audits eyed by ECI for 2029.
Sustained EVM confidence in Karnataka could influence national reforms, countering opposition pushes for ballots. Yet, probes into voter deletions underscore roll integrity needs. ECI’s 2025 roadmap includes enhanced SIR with biometrics, targeting <0.5% errors. RBI’s 2024 financial literacy survey echoes 81% trust in secure voting analogs.
Closing Assessment
Karnataka’s EVM survey decisively affirms 83.61% voter confidence, dealing a blow to persistent doubts while exposing partisan rifts. With official ECI safeguards proven in 2024’s massive polls and IMF-backed DPI parallels, the path forward demands transparent audits and inclusive reforms to sustain this EVM confidence in Karnataka. Political narratives may clash, but data urges focus on verifiable processes over rhetoric, ensuring India’s democracy remains resilient.
