Election Commission Dismisses Congress Party's EVM Claims in Haryana

In a decisive response to recent controversy, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has strongly rejected allegations made by the Congress Party regarding Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) irregularities in the Haryana assembly elections. The announcement came on Tuesday after a comprehensive investigation into claims about suspicious battery levels in EVM control units.

The BJP's victory in Haryana, securing 45 out of 90 assembly seats, had prompted the Congress Party to raise questions about the integrity of the electoral process. The opposition party had specifically pointed to what they considered unusual circumstances where EVMs showing 99% battery levels coincided with BJP victories.

According to The Haryana Story's investigation, the Congress Party's main contention centered around an alleged pattern: polling stations where control units showed 60-70% battery levels typically resulted in Congress victories, while those with fully charged batteries consistently favored the BJP. The party questioned how batteries could maintain full charge from the October 5 polling date through to the October 8 result declaration. 

The Election Commission, however, has dismissed these claims as "baseless when faced with inconvenient electoral outcomes." Following thorough verification by returning officers across all 26 contested assembly constituencies, the Commission addressed Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge directly, confirming that every step of the electoral process was conducted flawlessly under the supervision of Congress candidates or their representatives. 

"The Commission categorically rejects all baseless allegations and apprehensions conveyed by the Congress regarding all aspects of the electoral process in the recently concluded election to the state assembly of Haryana," stated the ECI in its official response. 

The matter highlights the ongoing debate about electoral integrity and the use of electronic voting systems in Indian democracy. The ECI's detailed investigation and categorical rejection of the allegations serve to reinforce confidence in the electoral process.