Karnataka Survey Reveals Public Trust in EVMs, Contradicting Rahul Gandhi's Claims
A recent survey conducted by the Karnataka government has revealed that a significant majority of citizens trust Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and believe in the integrity of elections. This finding contradicts Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's claims regarding election manipulation. The survey, which involved over 5,100 participants across various districts, showed that 83.61% of respondents expressed confidence in EVMs. The BJP has seized upon these results to challenge Gandhi's narrative, asserting that the public's trust in the electoral process is strong. This development has sparked a renewed debate on election integrity and the role of political narratives in shaping public perception.
Jan 2, 2026, 11:30 IST
Public Confidence in Elections
In a surprising turn of events, the Karnataka government has conducted a fact-check against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. A recent statewide survey revealed that a significant majority of citizens believe that elections in India are conducted fairly and transparently, with growing confidence in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). According to a report from a local news source, this survey was carried out in 102 assembly constituencies across the administrative divisions of Bengaluru, Belagavi, Kalaburagi, and Mysuru, involving 5,100 participants, and was commissioned by Chief Electoral Officer V. Ambukumara.
The survey, titled the KAP (Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice) Endline Survey, indicated that 83.61% of respondents expressed trust in EVMs. Overall, 69.39% agreed that EVMs provide accurate results, with 14.22% fully agreeing.
In terms of regional data, Kalaburagi showed the highest level of trust, with 83.24% agreeing and 11.24% fully agreeing that EVMs are reliable. Mysuru followed with 70.67% agreement and 17.92% full agreement. In Belagavi, 63.90% expressed agreement, while 21.43% fully agreed. Bengaluru had the lowest full agreement at 9.28%, although 63.67% still expressed agreement. Notably, the neutral opinion was highest in Bengaluru at 15.67%, significantly more than in other divisions.
Rahul Gandhi has frequently criticized the BJP and the Election Commission regarding alleged EVM tampering and 'vote theft' during elections. In response to these survey results, R. Ashok, the leader of the opposition in Karnataka, posted on social media, stating, “For years, Rahul Gandhi has been spreading the same narrative across the country: that India's democracy is 'in danger', that EVMs are 'not trustworthy', and that our institutions cannot be relied upon. However, Karnataka has just told a completely different story.”
The BJP emphasized that the statewide survey demonstrated that “people trust elections, people trust EVMs, and people trust India's democratic process,” labeling these results as a “slap in the face” for Congress.
The post also criticized the Congress government led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, which has announced plans to conduct local body elections using ballot papers. It stated, “Despite this clear public trust, the Congress government under CM Siddaramaiah chooses to take Karnataka backward by announcing local body elections with ballot papers, reintroducing a system known for manipulation, delays, and misuse.”
Furthermore, the BJP accused Congress of questioning institutions only when they lose and celebrating the same system when they win, asserting, “This is not principled politics; it is politics of convenience. No fabricated story can hide this truth any longer.”