Actress Swara Bhaskar has raised questions on the results of Maharashtra Assembly elections. After her husband’s defeat, she said that despite voting the whole day, how can the EVM remain charged up to 99 percent? Alleged that as soon as the fully charged EVM machine was opened, BJP supported NCP started getting votes. He has demanded a reply from the commission. This is not the first case that Swara Bhaskar has claimed.
After the counting of Haryana elections in October this year, Congress had also raised the same issue. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh said, some Congress candidates said that the party is winning on EVMs with 60-70% battery charge, but is losing on EVMs with 99% battery charge. After this, in a press conference also, Ramesh said that the party cannot accept the election results.
What is the purpose of EVM with 99% battery charge?
Congress candidates from 26 assembly constituencies in Haryana had filed a complaint regarding this. When this issue was raised in the state, Haryana Chief Electoral Officer responded to it. He said, no evidence has been provided in the complaint by the Congress candidates to prove that anything wrong has happened.
The RO had also recorded the presence of Congress candidates or their representatives during important procedures related to EVMs, he said. Those representatives were present six to eight days before the voting, from switching on the EVMs and installation of new batteries in the control units of the EVMs to sealing, voting and counting. The Election Commission had told that the percentage shown on the battery of EVM means.
The Commission says that in both EVA and VVPAT, non-rechargeable alkaline cells are used to supply electricity. The control unit of EVM contains power pack 5 single use alkaline cells. Their age is 5 years. Whereas VVPAT has 30 such cells. The system is designed to use a power pack of 5.5 volts (V) to 8.2V.
Now the question arises that why the battery of EVM shows 99 percent charge. The Election Commission says that showing the battery charged up to 99 percent does not mean that the battery is actually 99 percent charged. When the battery voltage drops between 8.2V and 7.4V, the battery shows 99 percent.
Only once it drops below 7.4V does the actual battery level become visible. At voltage below 5.8V, the “Replace Battery” sign flashes on the display, and below 5.5V, the EVM stops working. However, the data present in it remains intact.
Swara Bhaskar’s post
How can the EVM machine be 99% charged despite voting taking place throughout the day? Election Commission should answer.. @ECISVEEP @SpokespersonECI
As soon as 99% charge machines were opened in Anushakti Nagar assembly, how did BJP supported NCP start getting votes? @NCPspeaks
— Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) November 23, 2024
The Election Commission says, the EVM is a stand-alone unit that works without external power, hence the decision was taken not to use rechargeable cells. Additionally, alkaline batteries can operate and are reliable in extreme temperatures, allowing for a gradual drop in voltage output. The EC said these types of cells are often used in portable electronics, emergency power back-ups for medical equipment, military radios and GPS systems.
Also read: If two candidates get equal number of votes, how will it be decided who will become the winner?
