Final Up to date:January 02, 2026, 11:12 IST
An EC-backed analysis in Karnataka has proven excessive voter turnout and robust public belief in EVMs in the course of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, difficult Gandhi’s ‘vote chori’ narrative.
LoP within the Lok Sabha and Congress chief Rahul Gandhi throughout a press convention, in New Delhi, Wednesday. (PTI)
An in depth Election Fee–backed analysis in Karnataka has thrown a spanner into Rahul Gandhi’s “vote chori” marketing campaign, indicating excessive voter turnout and robust public belief in Digital Voting Machines (EVMs) in the course of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
To evaluate how successfully voter consciousness efforts labored in the course of the polls, the Election Fee entrusted the Karnataka Monitoring & Analysis Authority (KMEA) with evaluating the outcomes of the Systematic Voters’ Schooling and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme. The examine, titled ‘Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Analysis of Endline Survey of Information, Angle and Apply (KAP) of Residents’, was commissioned by Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer V. Anbukumar.
The survey coated 5,100 respondents throughout 102 Meeting constituencies within the Bengaluru, Belagavi, Kalaburagi and Mysuru divisions, forming probably the most in depth post-election assessments performed within the state.
The findings spotlight substantial voter participation and widespread confidence within the electoral course of and EVMs. Based on the report, 95.75 per cent of respondents stated that they had voted, whereas 83.61 per cent expressed confidence within the electoral system and in EVMs.
Consciousness of the voter listing was excessive at 85.31 per cent, though understanding of on-line registration, dwelling voting and grievance-redressal mechanisms remained restricted.
Notably, 83.61 per cent of respondents stated they believed EVMs have been reliable. “A big majority of respondents throughout all divisions belief that EVMs present correct outcomes,” the examine famous.
SVEEP, the Election Fee’s flagship voter training initiative launched in 2009, goals to enhance electoral consciousness and participation, notably amongst first-time voters, girls, youth, individuals with disabilities and marginalised teams. Karnataka, which has been proactive in rolling out the programme, noticed turnout rise from 68.81 per cent in 2019 to 71.98 per cent in 2024.
The KAP survey, supplemented by in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and booth-level case research, discovered that voter participation was exceptionally excessive. EPIC possession was practically common at 99.02 per cent. But gaps remained in consciousness about on-line registration, dwelling voting, grievance redressal and updating voter particulars. Solely 30.39 per cent of respondents knew the right date of Nationwide Voters’ Day.
Regardless of issues over inducements and the affect of cash and muscle energy, particularly in elements of the Kalaburagi division, rural voters largely perceived the election course of as honest, attributing this to sturdy engagement by Sales space Degree Officers (BLOs). City youth, nevertheless, displayed apathy and scepticism, citing elite dominance and lack of transparency.
Importantly, the survey discovered that belief in EVMs was highest in Kalaburagi, the very area the place allegations of “vote chori” from Aland first emerged and later grew to become central to Rahul Gandhi’s marketing campaign narrative.
SVEEP participation ranges have been reasonable. Posters and hoardings have been probably the most seen instruments, whereas door-to-door outreach and BLO-led campaigns proved the best in driving voter engagement. In contrast, Electoral Literacy Golf equipment and digital platforms had restricted attain, particularly amongst girls and SC, ST and tribal communities.
The survey’s second section strengthened these findings. Solely 18.37 per cent of respondents accessed election-related web sites or apps, underscoring low digital engagement. BLO visits remained the first supply of voter enrolment and consciousness, cited by 47.21 per cent of respondents.
Whereas recognition of the significance of voting was excessive, issues concerning inducements persevered. These have been usually underreported attributable to worry of retaliation and low confidence in grievance redressal mechanisms.
Amongst individuals with disabilities (PwDs), consciousness of particular outreach campaigns and postal poll provisions was comparatively sturdy, however infrastructural shortcomings have been vital obstacles. The absence of separate queues, lack of accessible services and transport challenges have been among the many mostly reported points, with girls with disabilities dealing with extra hurdles.
Qualitative insights indicated that though voter consciousness of electoral procedures has improved, understanding of voter rights and providers stays uneven — notably amongst girls, first-time voters, SC, ST, tribal and transgender communities. Data entry diverse sharply: youth predominantly relied on digital platforms, whereas rural and older voters trusted BLOs and conventional media.
Total, the findings recommend that whereas Karnataka has made substantial progress in enhancing voter consciousness and participation, challenges stay in inclusion, last-mile outreach and sustained voter training. On the similar time, the excessive turnout and robust belief indicators current a notable counterpoint to narratives questioning the credibility of the electoral course of.
January 02, 2026, 11:01 IST
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