Haryana Polls: Cong Submits More Complaints to EC on EVMs

New Delhi: Congress on Friday submitted more complaints to Election Commission alleging discrepancies in electronic voting machines during counting of votes for Haryana assembly elections.

Congress candidates from 20 assembly constituencies, in ir written complaints to Election Commission (EC), have alleged that batteries in some of EVMs were charged at 99 per cent during counting on October 8.

complaints follow Congress ' shock defeat in Haryana assembly elections after party failed to win a simple majority even after 10 years of BJP rule in state.

Congress has said assembly polls results were "unexpected" and have alleged discrepancies in EVMs in some seats.

"In furrance of issues raised and representation submitted to Election Commission of India on 9th October, we have now submitted an updated memo highlighting serious and glaring irregularities in election process in 20 assembly constituencies in Haryana . We hope that Election Commission will take notice and issue appropriate directives," AICC general secretary, communications, Jairam Ramesh, said in a post on X.

"We request you to urgently take action on enclosed complaints and ensure that all EVMs from se constituencies are immediately sealed. It is furr requested that a detailed inquiry is initiated on our complaints and same is completed in a time bound manner," party memorandum to EC said.

Some of Congress candidates in ir written complaints, now forwarded to EC, have alleged that while most EVMs were charged at below 80 per cent during counting, some h a charge of 99 per cent.

"It is to be noted that EVM battery percentage raises serious doubt regarding election result, as Congress candidate is winning in most EVM machines counting where battery percentage was below 80 per cent," a Congress candidate said.

Anor Congress candidate Amit Sihag said, "During counting process, it was discovered that around 25 EVM control units showed a 99% battery level. This is highly unusual and improbable, as machines were in use throughout polling day. Such a high battery percentage is impossible under normal usage, raising questions about aunticity of se machines." Alleging suspected replacement of control units, he said, "re are strong suspicions among my team and voters that control units were replaced, casting serious doubts on integrity of polling process. This raises concerns that election results have been tampered with." Udai Bhan's election agent has alleged that "in EVMs having more than 90 per cent battery, BJP candidate was shown having much higher votes, which appeared to be fabricated data and originality of EVMs. Whereas EVMs showing 60-70 per cent battery backup were containing much less votes of BJP".

Similar complaints were me by or Congress candidates too.

Senior Congress leers h met EC officials earlier on Wednesday and handed over seven complaints in writing. y h said y would submit more such complaints in detail from some of its or candidates.

In memorandum to chief election commissioner and or election commissioners, Congress has said, "One of issues faced by a significant number of our candidates was in relation to EVMs and ir Battery Capacity." It said se EVMs were used for counting of votes polled during Haryana assembly elections conducted on October 5.

party said it h brought poll body's attention to at least seven assembly constituencies. In this representation, memorandum said, "We have collated ditional 13 complaints/issues raised in Assembly Constituencies of Haryana and enclosed all 20 complaints." complaints have come from Congress candidates from assembly constituencies of Narnaul, Karnal, Dabwali, Rewari, Hodal (SC), Kalka, Panipat City, Indri, Bkhal, Faridab NIT, Nalwa, Rania, Pataudi (SC), Palwal, Ballabhgarh, Barwala, Uchana Kalan, Gharaunda, Kosli and Bshahpur.

se include those seats from where party candidates have lost with a narrow margin. Among complainants include Haryana Presh Congress Committee president Udai Bhan. 

With PTI Inputs