Congress leader and karnataka IT minister Priyank Kharge has once again written to the election commission of india (ECI), calling for a transparent and judiciary-monitored investigation into the functioning of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verified Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs). He posted the letter, dated september 6, on the social media platform formerly known as X.

Here are the key highlights of his statement and letter:

  • 🗳️ Call for Transparency: Kharge emphasized the importance of restoring public trust in the electoral process amid rising concerns over the fairness of elections and the functioning of democratic institutions.
  • 📬 Repeated Appeals: He reminded that a similar letter was sent to the election commission on december 3, 2024, underscoring his consistent demand for transparency and accountability.
  • 🧪 Proposal for Ethical Hackathon: Kharge proposed a court-monitored ethical hackathon and audit of the EVM-VVPAT system to identify flaws and enhance public confidence.
  • 🏛️ Judiciary and industry Supervision: The proposed investigation would be conducted under the supervision of the judiciary and experts from the tech industry, ensuring impartiality.
  • 💻 Use of Karnataka’s Tech Strength: He highlighted Karnataka's advanced technical and research infrastructure as ideal for conducting such an investigation.
  • ⚠️ Cited Irregularities: Kharge referred to electoral irregularities in:
    • Mahadevapura (Bangalore),
    • Recounting of EVMs in panipat (Haryana),
    • Voter name deletions in Aland (Kalburgi),
    • As examples that have raised public concerns.
  • 🔍 Urgent Responsibility of ECI: He urged the ECI to address these concerns and protect the credibility of India’s democratic process.
  • 🤝 State Government’s Support: He assured full cooperation from the karnataka government for any such investigation aimed at improving electoral integrity.

Kharge concluded by reiterating that his initiative is aimed solely at strengthening democratic processes and increasing public trust in elections.

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Priyank Kharge

D N INDUJAA

09/09/2025 11:55 AM