The Congress-led opposition seems to have developed a habit of crying foul over the functioning of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and the Election Commission of India (ECI) whenever it faces electoral defeat. The latest round of accusations against EVMs comes in the aftermath of significant setbacks in the Haryana assembly polls and disappointing performances in Jammu and Kashmir. However, this selective outcry raises pertinent questions about the consistency and integrity of these complaints, especially considering the opposition’s silence on the same EVMs when the results are in their favour. When opposition parties, particularly Congress, win elections or manage to increase their strength in the Lok Sabha, they rarely mention any issues with the EVMs or the ECI. The 2019 general elections saw Congress bagging as many as 99 seats, far exceedingly most pre-poll predictions, which had suggested that the party might struggle to retain its 2014 numbers. Despite the BJP’s dominant position, the Congress’s unexpected performance was met with celebration rather than scrutiny of the electoral process. Likewise, regional heavyweights like the Samajwadi Party, Trinamool Congress, and the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) have experienced notable victories in various state elections without raising concerns about the credibility of the EVMs or the ECI.
It is worth noting that before any election, pollsters and analysts offer projections based on surveys, exit polls, and public sentiment. For instance, ahead of the 2019 general elections, most pollsters predicted a comfortable victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), forecasting the party would comfortably cross the majority mark of 272 seats. While there were expectations that BJP’s seat count might drop slightly from the 2014 election, few doubted the party’s ability to secure a third term. In fact, some even suggested that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s NDA alliance would win around 300-320 seats. However, the final results were far more competitive than anticipated, with the BJP falling short of a simple majority on its own, winning fewer seats than predicted. Interestingly, while the opposition remained silent when their performance exceeded expectations, their tone quickly changed when the results were unfavourable. In the recent Haryana assembly elections, for example, Congress was banking on its alliance with the National Conference to secure a comfortable number of seats. However, the results saw them winning only half a dozen seats, a far cry from the high expectations set by manipulated exit polls. Rather than introspect on the causes of their defeat, including possibly over-reliance on exit polls and alliance strategies, the Congress and its allies chose to raise doubts about the EVMs and the ECI.
This selective outrage not only undermines the credibility of the opposition’s claims but also erodes public confidence in democratic institutions. The EVMs, which have been in use in India for decades, have repeatedly been tested, audited, and endorsed by independent bodies and experts. The Election Commission, a constitutional body responsible for ensuring free and fair elections, has similarly come under fire, but its integrity remains intact. While constructive criticism is essential for strengthening democracy, baseless accusations without evidence only serve to polarize the electorate and divert attention from the real issues. Moreover, it is baffling to observe how the Congress-led opposition raises no questions when it benefits from EVMs but is quick to cry foul when results go against them. For instance, in Jammu and Kashmir, where the National Conference (NC) performed well despite concerns about divided minority votes, the opposition did not express any doubts about the electoral process. If the electoral ally wins maximum seats in the Valley, where is the need to question the EVMs or the Election Commission? It appears that the opposition’s grievances are driven more by political expediency than genuine concern for electoral transparency. In states like Maharashtra and Jharkhand, where elections loom large, one wonders if the opposition is pre-emptively laying the groundwork to discredit any unfavourable outcomes. In Jharkhand, where the ruling JMM-Congress alliance has been embroiled in money laundering allegations, is the opposition preparing to blame EVMs if voters choose to reject them at the polls? Ultimately, the opposition’s selective outrage over EVMs and the Election Commission raises more questions than it answers. It is crucial for political parties, regardless of their affiliations, to respect democratic institutions and processes. Instead of resorting to baseless allegations, the Congress-led opposition must focus on strengthening their political strategies and engaging with voters meaningfully. By constantly casting doubt on the electoral system without concrete evidence, they risk not only discrediting themselves but also damaging the very foundations of India’s democracy.
