EVM Battery Confusion: Fact or Fiction?

Election Commission sources deny Congress claims of EVM tampering in Haryana. Allegations suggest discrepancies in results based on battery levels. The EC clarified that battery variations are normal and do not affect functionality.

Election Commission sources on Tuesday dismissed allegations from Congress leaders regarding electronic voting machine (EVM) tampering in Haryana. The controversy emerged after reports of differing election outcomes linked to the battery strength of the machines surfaced.

Congress leaders raised concerns about EVMs with various battery percentages, citing results from Hisar, Mahendragarh, and Panipat as suspicious. They suggested a trend where 99 percent battery-powered EVMs favored the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), while those with 60 to 70 percent battery showed Congress winning.

EC sources clarified that the variation in battery levels is a regular occurrence and does not impact the functionality of the machines. Alkaline batteries, used in these machines, are installed and sealed in the presence of candidates. They initially offer a voltage that equates to 99 percent capacity, which gradually diminishes with use, and the machines remain operational above a 5.8-volt threshold.