EVM row: Rahul Gandhi asks EC to 'ensure transparency or abolish EVMs' amid row over Mumbai North West seat

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi joined growing calls for transparency on Monday amid allegations of vote manipulation in Mumbai. The Wayanad and Raebareli MP-designate urged the election Commission to ‘ensure transparency’ or abolish the use of electronic voting machines. The remarks came even as the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction indicated plans to approach the Supreme Court over its defeat from Mumbai North West by a mere 48 votes.

“When democratic institutions are captured, the only safeguard lies in electoral processes that are transparent to the public. EVM is currently a black box. EC must either ensure complete transparency of the machines and processes, or abolish them," Gandhi asserted.

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He had previously joined other Opposition leaders in quoting a post by X and Tesla chief Elon Musk about the ‘too high’ risk of hacking that came with EVMs. Gandhi also quoted the Midday report to call for accountability. 

“Democracy ends up becoming a sham and prone to fraud when institutions lack accountability," he said in an earlier post. 

(With inputs from agencies)