Karnataka Voters Show Faith in EVMs, Believe Elections are Free and Fair: Study Reveals

Image Source: Internet

A recent study conducted by the Karnataka Monitoring and Evaluation Authority (KMEA) has found that the majority of voters in the state trust Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and believe that Indian elections are free and fair. The study, titled 'Lok Sabha Elections 2024 – Evaluation of Endline Survey of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) of Citizens,' surveyed 5,100 respondents across 102 assembly constituencies in Karnataka. The survey, which was conducted in August 2025, found that 91.31% of respondents agreed that elections in India are conducted freely and fairly. The confidence in EVMs was also high, with 69.39% of respondents agreeing that they deliver accurate results. The study noted that the trust in EVMs was highest in Kalaburagi division, followed by Mysuru and Belagavi divisions. The findings assume significance amid the Congress party's campaign against 'vote chori' (vote theft) and the Karnataka government's proposal to hold future panchayat and urban local body polls using ballot paper. The study highlights the need to address concerns about the influence of money in elections, with 44.90% of respondents agreeing that it is increasing. The study also found that about 50% of the respondents were women, and opinions varied across divisions on whether women should consult male members or elders before voting in elections. The study noted that 16.33% of respondents reported experiencing attempts to influence their voting through inducements. The study's findings provide valuable insights into the attitudes and perceptions of voters in Karnataka and highlight the need for policymakers to address concerns about the integrity of the electoral process. As the country prepares for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the study's findings will be crucial in shaping the electoral discourse.