Congress’s memos to poll panel flag ‘discrepancies’ in EVMs

The two memoranda submitted by the Congress party to the Election Commission complaining about “discrepancies” in the EVMs used in the recently concluded Haryana Assembly elections do not spell out how the ‘irregularities’ helped the BJP win the elections.

The memoranda — the first containing the names of seven constituencies and the second 20 constituencies including the seven mentioned earlier — complained that the batteries of certain EVMs had shown 99 per cent charge, while the remaining EVMs showed 60 to 70 per cent battery power.

According to the Congress, the EVMs with batteries showing 99 per cent charge are the offending ones since it is highly unusual for the battery to retain 99 per cent charge after the machine being used for voting for a whole day.

During a press conference here on October 8, Congress leaders alleged that the machines with 99 per cent charged batteries favoured the BJP by registering more votes polled on favour of the party.

Yogendra Yadav, activist and media personality, who campaigned for the Congress in Haryana, told in a television interview that the EVMs with batteries retaining 99 per cent charge suggested that the original machines may have been replaced with doctored ones, “like the ballot boxes used to be changed” in the bygone days.

However, neither of the two charges feature in the memoranda submitted by the Congress to the EC on Wednesday and Friday, respectively.

“The inconsistencies (with regard to the EVMs) reported on significant number of seats and lack of explanation and response from the respective electoral (officer), raises a genuine apprehension,” says the Congress memorandum submitted to the EC on October 9.

The 20 constituencies listed by the Congress in this connection are, Narnaul, Karnal, Dabwali, Rewari, Hodal (SC), Kalka, Panipat City, Indri , Badkhal, Faridabad NIT, Nalwa, Rania, Pataudi (SC), Palwal, Ballabhgarh, Barwala, Uchana Kalan, Gharaunda, Kosli and Badshahpur. Two of these — Dabwali and Rania — have been both won by INLD candidates. The remaining 18 seats have been won by the BJP.

After a review meeting held here on Thursday, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said a technical team would be constituted to go to the bottom of the issue.

Despite the prediction of a certain victory, the Congress lost to the BJP in Haryana with the saffron party securing an unprecedented third consecutive term in power in the state.

INLD won in 2 constituencies mentioned in list

The 20 constituencies listed by the Congress are Narnaul, Karnal, Dabwali, Rewari, Hodal, Kalka, Panipat City, Indri, Badkhal, Faridabad NIT, Nalwa, Rania, Pataudi, Palwal, Ballabhgarh, Barwala, Uchana Kalan, Gharaunda, Kosli and Badshahpur. Two of these - Dabwali and Rania - have been both won by INLD candidates. The remaining 18 seats have been won by the BJP.