A political row has erupted over criticisms leveled at Electronic Voting Machines, highlighting Karnataka Legislative Council election outcomes where polling was conducted through traditional paper ballots. Reports indicate that the Congress party had registered state government employees into voter rolls across teacher and graduate constituencies spanning 133 assembly segments, significantly driving up voter rolls to 260,000.
Despite the use of paper ballots and prior confidence from the party, Congress faced notable defeats across these council seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party secured major wins. These results have drawn sharp focus toward opposition claims regarding EVMs and broader discussions surrounding political consistency concerning electoral processes.
Separately, political developments unfolded as leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Sonia Gandhi paid homage to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi at Shakti Sthal in New Delhi on her 42nd death anniversary. Meanwhile, the opposition INDIA bloc held a symbolic public impeachment of the Chief Election Commissioner at the Congress president's residence, prompting strong condemnation from the Bharatiya Janata Party, which accused the opposition of undermining constitutional institutions and blaming electoral referees for political defeats.