Ex-CEC Rawat Dismisses Concerns Over EVM Battery Life

Former Chief Election Commissioner O.P. Rawat addressed concerns about Electronic Voting Machines, explaining that the use of batteries ensures no external connections, thus eliminating tampering allegations. He clarified EVM battery life and its non-impact on voting outcomes, even under varying usage.

In the midst of ongoing discussions about the battery life of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) following Haryana's election results, former Chief Election Commissioner O.P. Rawat provided clarity on Wednesday. Speaking to ANI, Rawat emphasized that the battery-powered design of EVMs is integral to preventing external interference.

According to Rawat, the primary reason for using batteries in EVMs is to eliminate any external connection that could be perceived as a tampering risk. He noted that if EVMs were connected to electricity through a cord, it might lead to accusations of manipulation via that cord.

Rawat assured that EVM batteries, once fully charged, can last up to two days, including the time required for mock polling exercises. He stressed that the fluctuating battery charge does not affect the voting results and pointed to the VVPAT slip as a valid voter choice verification method.

(With inputs from agencies.)