Archive · 2 Jan 2026
Karnataka Survey on Election Trust
A study in Karnataka found that most people believe elections in India are fair and that electronic voting machines (EVMs) give accurate results.
The study asked over 5,000 people in different parts of Karnataka.
Most people, about 91%, said they trust the elections.
The trust was highest in the Kalaburagi and Mysuru areas.
People also mostly trust EVMs, with about 69% to 84% saying they deliver accurate results, depending on the source.
However, some people, especially in Bengaluru, were more neutral or had doubts.
The study also found that many people think money is influencing elections, and some have experienced offers to change their votes, like promises of government benefits or jobs.
The Congress party has questioned the survey's credibility, while the BJP and Election Commission have defended it.
A study by KMEA found that 91.31% of respondents believe elections in India are conducted freely and fairly.
Trust in EVMs was high, with 69.39% (KMEA) to 83.61% (News18) of respondents agreeing that they deliver accurate results.
Confidence in elections and EVMs was strongest in the Kalaburagi and Mysuru divisions.
The Bengaluru division had the highest percentage of neutral opinions and slightly higher disagreement.
About 16.33% of respondents reported experiencing inducements to influence their voting, with government scheme benefits being the most common.
- Who
- Karnataka Monitoring and Evaluation Authority (KMEA) and Karnataka voters
- What
- A study on voter confidence in elections and EVMs
- When
- Survey report dated August 2025, recently made public
- Where
- Karnataka, India
- Why
- To assess the impact of the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme
Congress Party
BJP and Election Commission
Survey Credibility
Congress Party
The survey is not credible as it was conducted by an NGO with a conflict of interest and cannot be used to dismiss post-allegation evidence.
BJP and Election Commission
The survey is a valid assessment of voter education efforts and reflects the trust in elections and EVMs.
Electoral Integrity
Congress Party
The survey cannot certify the integrity of electoral processes and serious concerns about electoral malpractice remain unanswered.
BJP and Election Commission
The survey results show high trust in the electoral processes and EVMs, indicating the integrity of the elections.
- Study Title
- Lok Sabha Elections 2024 – Evaluation of Endline Survey of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) of Citizens
- Conducted By
- Karnataka Monitoring and Evaluation Authority (KMEA)
- Total Respondents
- 5,100
- Survey Coverage
- 102 assembly constituencies across 34 election districts in Karnataka
- Percentage Trusting Elections
- 91.31%
- Percentage Trusting EVMs
- 69.39% (KMEA) / 83.61% (News18)
- Percentage Reporting Inducements
- 16.33%
- Most Common Inducement
- Government scheme benefits (42.26%)
Sources
Most voters in Karnataka believe elections are free and fair, says Study
Most voters in Karnataka believe elections are free and fair, says Study
Karnataka Study Finds 91% Believe Polls Are Fair, BJP Hits Out At Congress
'Slap on Congress' face': BJP as Karnataka survey shows 83.61% trust in EVMs for 2024 elections
'What Do You Expect?' Karnataka Minister Junks Centre's Voters-EVMs Survey
Major Setback To Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Vote Chori’ Charge? EC-Backed Survey Shows 83% Trust In EVMs
Most voters believe elections are free and fair: Study
Karnataka govt study finds majority of voters trust EVMs, believe that elections are free and fair: BJP asks Rahul Gandhi, ‘what Vote Chori?’
Over 83% In Karnataka Trust EVMs, BJP Rebuts Rahul Gandhi’s Claims: Survey
Karnataka Survey Shows Strong Voter Confidence In EVMs Over Ballot Papers, Undercutting Congress ‘Vote Chori’ Claims
What an ECI-ordered survey on EVM trust reveals, and why it has sparked a political row in Karnataka
Statistically Weak and Biased: Congress Slams Karnataka EVM Survey
Cong questions survey on EVM’s accuracy, BJP calls it ‘direct blow’ to ‘Vote Chori’ narrative
Karnataka survey finds strong public trust in elections and EVMs, sparks political row