8 months ago
Karnataka EVM Survey Removed Amid Controversy
A survey in Karnataka showed that most people trust electronic voting machines (EVMs).
However, the Congress party says the survey isn't fair because it was done by groups connected to the government.
They also say the person who did the survey works with the Prime Minister's Office.
The Karnataka government says the survey is real and shows people believe in the voting system.
The survey was taken down from the government's website after people argued about it.
Some Congress leaders also said the survey didn't include enough people and wasn't done properly.
The Karnataka Chief Minister said the survey was just to check how aware voters are and not a political opinion poll.
A survey by the Karnataka Monitoring and Evaluation Authority (KMEA) found that over 80% of voters trust EVMs and believe elections are free and fair.
The survey was removed from the Karnataka government website after facing backlash and mockery from the Congress party.
Congress leader BK Hariprasad criticized the survey's credibility, alleging it was conducted by government-linked agencies and lacked transparency.
Hariprasad also questioned the surveyor's impartiality, claiming he is associated with the Prime Minister's Office and an NGO.
The Karnataka Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, defended the survey, stating it was an administrative evaluation of voter awareness and not a political opinion poll.
- Who
- Karnataka Monitoring and Evaluation Authority (KMEA) and Congress leaders, including BK Hariprasad
- What
- Controversy over the credibility and transparency of a survey on voter trust in EVMs in Karnataka
- Where
- Karnataka (survey), Delhi (protest)
- When
- The survey was conducted in August 2025 and the controversy arose recently
- Why
- Congress alleges the survey lacks independence and transparency, while the Karnataka government defends its legitimacy
Congress Party
Karnataka Government/BJP
Survey Credibility
Congress Party
The survey lacks independence, transparency, and statistical rigour, and was conducted by government-linked agencies.
Karnataka Government/BJP
The survey was a legitimate study showing high voter trust in EVMs and was conducted with proper methodology.
Survey Timing
Congress Party
The survey was timed to counter recent political protests and improve the Election Commission's image.
Karnataka Government/BJP
The survey was an administrative evaluation of voter awareness and not politically motivated.
Surveyor's Credibility
Congress Party
The surveyor, Dr Subramaniam, is associated with the Prime Minister's Office and an NGO, raising questions about his impartiality.
Karnataka Government/BJP
The surveyor and the agency GRAAM are credible and have no conflict of interest.
Key facts
- Survey Subject
- Voter trust in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in Karnataka
- Survey Conducted By
- Karnataka Monitoring and Evaluation Authority (KMEA)
- Surveyor
- Dr Subramaniam (alleged to be associated with PMO and an NGO)
- Survey Sample Size
- 5100 voters across 102 assembly seats
- Survey Findings
- Over 80% of voters trust EVMs and believe elections are free and fair
- Congress Leader
- BK Hariprasad
- Karnataka CM
- Siddaramaiah
- Protest Reference
- Massive protest led by Rahul Gandhi at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on December 14
Quotes
Siddaramaiah
Chief Minister of Karnataka and leader of the Congress government
“During the last 24 hours, an Election Commission survey has been selectively used to manufacture a misleading narrative -- suggesting that serious concerns about electoral malpractice by Rahul Gandhi are somehow `disproved'. This claim collapses the moment the survey is examined honestly.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
After backlash and mockery, Karnataka govt website of KMEA removes survey that showed majority of voters trust EVMs
Karnataka EVM survey lacks credibility, transparency: Congress’ BK Hariprasad
Karnataka Govt Deletes Survey From Websites Showing 94% Trust In EVMs
