After Haryana setback, Congress seeks probe into complaints of 'discrepancies' in EVMs

Congress leader Pawan Khera

The Congress on Wednesday called for a comprehensive investigation into alleged irregularities observed in certain Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) during the vote-counting process for the Haryana assembly elections.

The party insisted that these specific EVMs should be sealed and safeguarded until the inquiry is completed.

A high-level Congress delegation met with top Election Commission officials. The group included former chief ministers Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Ashok Gehlot, along with AICC leaders KC Venugopal, Jairam Ramesh, Ajay Maken, and Pawan Khera. Haryana Congress president Udai Bhan was also present at the meeting.

The delegation handed over a memorandum to the officials along with specific complaints from various constituencies in Haryana. The Congress leaders alleged that there are at least 20 such complaints, including seven in writing, from as many assembly constituencies, with many referring to EVMs functioning at 99 per cent battery capacity whereas the average EVMs were found to be operating at 60 to 70 per cent battery capacity during counting.

The party has alleged "glaring discrepancies" related to some EVMs in the Haryana polls and urged the EC to conduct a probe.

There are doubts about vote counting as Haryana results are surprising, said former chief minister Hooda, adding that there was widespread expectation that the Congress party would win enough seats to form the next government in Haryana.

“When the counting of postal ballots took place, the Congress was winning, but when the counting of EVMs started, the opposite happened,” he said.

He said the Congress will submit more complaints to the EC in the next few days. "The EC has assured us of looking into the matter," Hooda said after meeting the CEC and other election commissioners.

Meanwhile, Pawan Khera said, “"We apprised the Election Commission about 20 complaints that have come to us, including seven written complaints from seven constituencies with some EVM machines functioning at 99 per cent battery capacity, while some EVM Machines were functioning below 60-70 per cent battery capacity."

Defying anti-incumbency sentiment, the ruling BJP secured its third consecutive victory in Haryana on Tuesday, successfully retaining power and blocking the Congress party's efforts to regain control.

The BJP won 48 seats in the 90-member state Assembly, effectively countering predictions of a Congress comeback. All the three independent MLAs that won in the Assembly polls have also extended support to the saffron party.

(With inputs from PTI)