‘Vote Chori’ claim takes a hit? Karnataka EVM survey puts Congress on defensive

Bengaluru: The ruling Congress in Karnataka on Friday questioned the credibility of a survey that found a majority of citizens in the state believe elections in India are conducted freely and fairly and that Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) deliver accurate results.

The opposition BJP, however, described the findings as a “direct blow” to Rahul Gandhi’s ‘vote theft’ narrative.

The findings are part of a study titled “Lok Sabha Elections 2024 – Evaluation of Endline Survey of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) of Citizens”, published for the Karnataka Monitoring and Evaluation Authority (KMEA). Though dated August 2025, the survey report was made public recently.

The KMEA functions under the Planning, Programme Monitoring and Statistics Department and serves as the state’s apex institution for promoting evidence-based policymaking. The study was commissioned to evaluate the impact of the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme implemented by the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka.

The survey was conducted in May 2025 by Mysuru-based GRAAM (Grassroots Research and Advocacy Movement).

The findings have assumed political significance amid the Congress-led campaign against alleged ‘vote chori’ (vote theft), spearheaded by senior party leader Rahul Gandhi, targeting the BJP-led government at the Centre and the Election Commission of India.

They also come at a time when the Karnataka government has proposed conducting all future panchayat and urban local body elections in the state using ballot papers, citing an alleged erosion of public confidence in Electronic Voting Machines.

"Survey commissioned by the Election Commission through the State Chief Electoral Officer. Survey conducted by a Modi's man who works in the PMO and has authored a lavish tribute to the PM," Karnataka Minister for IT/BT Priyank Kharge said in a post on 'X', in an apparent reference to GRAAM founder R Balasubramaniam.

Pointing out that the survey was conducted in May 2025, while detailed vote chori exposé by the Congress came out in August 2025, he said, "Survey covered only 50 respondents per Assembly. Statistically weak, prone to wide sampling error and selection bias and not suitable for drawing conclusions."

Accusing the BJP of "falsely peddling" the survey as “State Government survey”, he said, "interestingly, BJP is silent on the Aland Vote Chori charge sheet which has named former BJP MLA as A1 (accused number 1)."

Senior Congress leader and MLC B K Hariprasad mentioned that GRAAM's survey claimed that a majority percent of people in Karnataka have accepted the EVM system. According to him, the survey appears to be pleasing or supporting the Election Commission of India.

The survey framing is pro ECI. The questions are framed around belief and perception, not verifiable audit, transparency, or accountability.

"(There is ) no serious probing on: EVM malfunction complaints VVPAT mismatch concerns Demand for 100 per cent VVPAT counting This conveniently supports the ECI's long-standing position that EVMs are beyond doubt," he said in a statement.

The survey was publicised amid national debate on EVM credibility, Hariprasad said adding it comes at a time when opposition parties are raising concerns on electoral integrity, Courts are hearing petitions on EVM-VVPAT verification.

"The timing makes it appear like a defensive narrative-building exercise for ECI. GRAAM is founded by R Balasubramaniam, who is a member of Modi's think tank and has written a Modimala."

"The GRAAM survey does not strengthen democracy, does not address transparency concerns, functions as a perception-management report, it helps the Election Commission defend itself, instead of encouraging reforms. Democracy does not survive on manufactured consent or perception surveys," he added.

Reacting to the survey report, state BJP President B Y Vijayendra said Congress' “Vote Chori” stands exposed once again.

"The survey report published by the Government of Karnataka clearly shows that a decisive majority of our people believe elections in India are conducted freely and fairly. This is a direct blow to Rahul Gandhi, who, unable to accept Congress repeated electoral failures, chose to invent the “Vote Chori” narrative and launch a reckless campaign casting doubts on the Election Commission. In doing so, he repeatedly attempted to mislead the public and weaken trust in a constitutional institution of impeccable repute," he posted on 'X.

In Karnataka, this insecurity translated into governance decisions, as the Siddaramaiah led government, eager to appease its high command, announced that local body elections would be conducted using ballot papers, a regressive move that pulls the State backwards, undoing years of technological progress and hard-earned public confidence in electronic voting, he said.

As per the survey report, the majority of respondents across all divisions believe that elections in India are conducted freely and fairly, with 91.31 per cent agreeing, which includes 6.76 per cent neutral.

It also said a large majority of respondents trust that Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) provide accurate results, with 69.39 per cent agreeing and 14.22 per cent strongly agreeing overall.

A total of 5,100 respondents were surveyed across 102 assembly constituencies, covering all 34 election districts in Karnataka, representing rural, urban, and reserved constituencies across the state's four divisions -- Bengaluru, Belagavi, Kalaburagi and Mysuru. PTI