Gangtok: Pawan Chamling, the President of the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) and former Chief Minister of Sikkim, has voiced concerns over the reliability of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the recently concluded 2024 state assembly elections.
Chamling attributed his party’s defeat to potential manipulation of the voting machines, raising questions about the integrity of the electoral process.
Chamling stated, “The people of Sikkim are questioning where their votes went. It’s not just about our loss; there’s a growing doubt whether people’s votes were accurately counted or tampered with.” His remarks have added to ongoing debates about the credibility of EVMs in India.
The former CM cited examples from other countries, noting Japan’s decision to revert to paper ballots due to reliability concerns. He also pointed to skepticism around EVMs in nations like Russia and within segments of Indian society. “There are many experts and scientists in India who claim that voting machines can be hacked or tampered with,” Chamling remarked.
Chamling has called on the Election Commission of India (ECI) to launch a comprehensive investigation into the allegations. He emphasized the need for transparency and accountability to restore public faith in the electoral process. “The Election Commission must take action and ensure transparency,” he urged.
The allegations have reignited discussions on EVM reliability, with some political leaders and analysts calling for greater scrutiny or a hybrid system combining paper ballots with electronic voting. The ECI, however, has consistently defended the machines as secure and tamper-proof, citing multiple layers of safeguards and checks.
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