Did Congress' Own Survey in K'taka Undermine Rahul Gandhi's Vote Theft Claims?
Synopsis
A recent survey in Karnataka, commissioned by a government body, reveals strong public trust in the electoral process and EVMs. BJP's Amit Malviya claims this undermines Rahul Gandhi's narrative of vote theft. Discover the key findings and their implications for India's political landscape.
Key Takeaways
84.55% of citizens believe elections are fair.
83.61% trust in EVMs has increased.
The survey included 5,100 respondents.
Concerns about inducements persist in certain areas.
Congress challenges the legitimacy of the survey.
Bengaluru, Jan 2 (NationPress) Highlighting a survey carried out by a governmental organization, Amit Malviya, the head of BJP's National Information and Technology Department, asserted that the Congress' own survey results in Karnataka effectively discredit Rahul Gandhi's allegations of vote theft.
On Friday, Malviya took to social media platform X to share, "This investigation was initiated by the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer of Karnataka through the Karnataka Monitoring and Evaluation Authority (KMEA), which operates independently under the Planning Department of the Karnataka Government. It was conducted through a competitive bidding process by KMEA, rather than the Election Commission of India."
"The outcomes are clear-cut. A remarkable 84.55% of citizens express that elections in India are held in a free and fair manner. Regarding EVMs, the consensus is even stronger, with 83.61% of respondents affirming the trustworthiness of EVMs and their ability to deliver precise results. Trust in EVMs has surged from 77.9% in 2023 to 83.61% now.
These findings deliver a significant setback to the Congress narrative, with Rahul Gandhi spearheading the vote chori campaign against the BJP. When voters themselves demonstrate increasing trust in the electoral system and EVMs, the politics of manufactured skepticism is thoroughly undermined," Malviya remarked.
The BJP official shared the study's findings on EVMs.
The report indicated, "A substantial majority of participants across all divisions trust that Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) yield accurate results, with 69.39% agreeing and 14.22% strongly agreeing overall."
Trust was highest in the Kalaburagi division, where 83.24% agreed, and 11.24% strongly agreed, followed by the Mysuru division with 70.67% agreeing and 17.92% strongly agreeing.
Belagavi division also exhibited robust confidence, with 63.90% agreeing and 21.43% strongly agreeing.
Conversely, the Bengaluru division had the lowest strong agreement at 9.28%, although 63.67% still agreed.
Neutral perspectives were most prevalent in the Bengaluru division, at 15.67%, compared to lower ratios in other divisions.
Malviya further noted that the study on opinions regarding 'Free and Fair Elections in India' revealed that most respondents across all divisions believe that elections in India are carried out freely and fairly, with 91.31% agreeing, which includes 6.76% neutral.
This belief was strongest in the Kalaburagi division, where 84.67% agreed and 10.19% strongly agreed, followed by the Belagavi division at 69.62% agreeing and 19.24% strongly agreeing. The Mysuru division also showed high confidence, with 72.08% agreeing and 15.08% strongly agreeing," he said, citing the report.
The survey authorized by Chief Electoral Officer V. Anbukumar revealed that a majority of voters perceive elections in India as free and fair, emphasizing that trust in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) has grown.
The survey included 5,100 participants across 102 Assembly segments in the administrative divisions of Bengaluru, Belagavi, Kalaburagi, and Mysuru.
The survey, titled 'Lok Sabha Elections 2024- Evaluation of Endline Survey of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) of Citizens', was overseen by the Karnataka Monitoring and Evaluation Authority, Department of Planning, Programme Monitoring and Statistics, Government of Karnataka.
The Congress party has raised objections to the survey conducted by the State Election Commission, released by the Karnataka Monitoring and Evaluation Authority under the Department of Planning, Programme Monitoring and Statistics, claiming that they did not approve the survey.
To the dismay of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and his son Minister Priyank Kharge, the survey results indicated, "While acknowledgment of the significance of each vote (over 81.39%), and trust in the electoral process and EVMs was high (over 83.61%), concerns regarding inducements and the influence of money and muscle power persisted, especially in areas like Kalaburagi."
Notably, Kalaburagi is the hometown of Mallikarjun Kharge.
Point of View
It is crucial to acknowledge its implications on political narratives. The findings emphasizing public trust in the electoral process challenge the ongoing claims of vote theft by Congress leaders. This data not only reflects citizens' confidence but also highlights the need for constructive political discourse. The responsibility lies with party leaders to build trust among the electorate rather than sow doubts.
NationPress
9 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the survey conducted in Karnataka reveal?
The survey indicates that 84.55% of citizens believe elections in India are conducted freely and fairly, with 83.61% trusting Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
Who commissioned the survey?
The survey was commissioned by the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer of Karnataka through the Karnataka Monitoring and Evaluation Authority (KMEA).
What was the sample size of the survey?
The survey included 5,100 respondents across 102 Assembly segments in Karnataka.
What are the key concerns raised by the survey?
While trust in the electoral process is high, concerns regarding inducements and the influence of money and muscle power remain, particularly in some regions.
How did the Congress party respond to the survey?
The Congress party objected to the survey, stating they did not approve it and expressing dissatisfaction with the findings.
