Poll body rejects Congress’ EVM battery claim, says no link to election results
They claimed that in areas where the EVMs showed 99% battery, the BJP won, and in places where the battery was between 60 and 70%, Congress won.
The Election Commission has rejected allegations made by Congress leaders regarding the tampering of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in some Haryana constituencies. Congress leaders had raised concerns, including the “EVM battery claim,” suggesting that the battery strength of the EVMs had influenced the election results. However, the Election Commission dismissed these claims, asserting that the EVMs functioned properly throughout the election process.
Congress leaders’ allegations
Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh raised concerns about the battery levels of EVMs, suggesting a potential conspiracy. He pointed out that in seats where EVMs displayed 99% battery, the BJP won, whereas in constituencies with machines showing 60-70% battery, the Congress won. Ramesh strongly questioned the fairness of the process, asking, “If this is not a conspiracy, then what is it?”
These claims were raised after the elections in districts like Hisar, Mahendragarh, and Panipat, where Congress leaders reportedly received complaints regarding the battery levels of the EVMs used. Ramesh’s remarks were part of a larger criticism aimed at the conduct of the election process.
EC explains EVM battery system
In response to these claims, the Election Commission explained that there is no basis for such allegations. EC sources clarified that the EVMs used in the elections contain alkaline batteries in their control units. These batteries are freshly inserted on the day of the election and are sealed in the presence of candidates to ensure transparency.
The EC further explained that new batteries in the EVMs start with a voltage between 7.5 to 8 volts, which is displayed as 99% battery capacity when the voltage is above 7.4 volts. As the machines are used, the battery’s voltage decreases, causing the displayed battery capacity to drop to between 98% and 10%. The control unit of the EVM remains operational as long as the battery has more than 5.8 volts of charge. The battery replacement warning only appears when the battery’s capacity drops below 10%.
This process, the EC stated, is similar to the reserve fuel warning in vehicles when fuel is low. The remaining battery capacity on election day depends on several factors, including the mock poll conducted before the election and the actual use of the EVMs on polling day. The Election Commission’s response serves to clarify the technical aspects of EVMs and dismisses the allegations of tampering as baseless.
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