The legitimacy of the recent Haryana Assembly election results is being challenged in the Supreme Court, following a petition that raises serious concerns about the reliability of electronic voting machines (EVMs) used during the polling. The petitioners, Priya Mishra and Vikas Bansal, represented by advocate Narendra Mishra, have called for a re-election in 20 constituencies, citing notable discrepancies in EVM battery capacities that they argue could have influenced the election outcomes.
According to the petition, during the counting process, variations were observed in the battery capacities of EVMs; some machines operated at 99% capacity, while others were below 80%, with a few even as low as 60-70%. This inconsistency was notably present within the same polling stations, leading to doubts over the fairness and transparency of the electoral process.
The issue was first brought to light through a complaint by the Indian National Congress to the Election Commission of India (ECI), which alleged neglect and inaction by Returning Officers despite the reported irregularities. The petition underscores the unusual fluctuations in voter turnout data, which escalated from 61.19% on October 5, 2024, to 67.90% just two days later, raising further suspicions about the electoral integrity.
The petitioners are demanding that the ECI conduct a thorough investigation into the matter, particularly focusing on how EVMs were charged and the possibility of them being powered by an unauthorized external energy source. They have urged the Supreme Court to mandate a re-election in the affected constituencies and to require the ECI to release all voter turnout data along with Form 17C, which records detailed voting data.
By invoking Article 32 of the Constitution, the petitioners seek to uphold fundamental rights and ensure that the democratic process is not compromised by potential electoral malpractices. The plea emphasizes the need for transparency and adherence to the People Representation Act, 1951, and the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, to maintain public trust in the electoral system.
