Self-Regulation Required On Exit Polls, Early Trends Are 'Nonsense', EVM Is Safe: CEC Rajiv Kumar — Top Points

CEC Rajiv Kumar expressed concerns over exit polls and early trends broadcast. He urged self-regulation by pollsters and also criticised the practice of showing trends prematurely, as it creates a mismatch with actual results.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar raised concerns about exit polls and the early trends broadcast by media outlets during elections. Addressing the issue, Rajiv Kumar highlighted the need for self-regulation by pollsters and media, particularly regarding the distortion caused by exit polls.

CEC Rajiv Kumar On Exit Polls, Earlier Poll Trends, EVM Complaints

• Urging 'self-regulation', CEC Rajiv Kumar remarked, "A major distortion is being created due to Exit Polls and expectations set by it. This is a matter of deliberation and introspection for the Press, especially for electronic media." He emphasised that pollsters should reflect on the sample size, survey locations, and accuracy of their projections, and whether disclosures are properly made. "There are bodies which govern this... I am sure the time has come that Associations/Bodies which govern, will do some self-regulation," he added.
  
  


• CEC Rajiv Kumar also criticised the early trends that channels show, often just 15-30 minutes after the start of vote counting, calling such results "nonsense." He pointed out that counting only begins around 8:30 am, yet some channels start showing trends as early as 8:05-8:10 am. He questioned, "How are you getting trends even before 9:10 am? So, when the actual results start coming in, there is a mismatch. That mismatch can lead to serious issues sometimes." He highlighted the gap between public expectations and actual results, which can lead to frustration.
  
  
  


• On Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), Rajiv Kumar provided a detailed explanation of the procedures to ensure their integrity. He stated, "First Level checking of EVMs happens five-sixth months ago. We will respond to all 20 complaints on EVMs individually, fact-by-fact. We will assure each candidate and in a detailed manner, we will also publish the responses."
  
  


• The Chief Election Commissioner elaborated on the process, explaining that political party agents are present throughout, from battery installation during commissioning to the sealing and securing of EVMs in strong rooms with a three-layer security system. "Through all processes political parties' agents are present. The battery is inserted in an EVM when it is commissioned... EVMs are commissioned five to six days before polling. That is when party symbols are fed into and a new battery is inserted," he said.
  

  "After EVMs are sealed, Political parties' agents are required to sign regarding the EVMs as well as the battery. This rule is now benefitting us. These EVMs go into strong rooms in front of the agents, there is a double lock and a three-layer security system which will include CAPF and observers. When these EVMs are distributed this process is repeated and the entire process is videographed...Candidates' agents are present to check EVM numbers and 50 votes are inserted in to check how it is working. The voting happens, the calculations are done and the EVMs are closed. Signatures are taken again after polling and Form 17C is given to the candidates," he added. This form can be verified on counting day, and objections can be raised at any stage, he mentioned.

  
  


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  CEC Kumar emphasised that EVM is "absolutely safe and robust." "Look at the last 15-20 elections. It is giving results after results differently. It can't be that it is wrong only the results are not to your liking... We will have all the responses shared on the website. We will also make an FAQ," he stated.

  
  
  
  


• Addressing concerns raised by Congress during the recent Haryana elections, the CEC dismissed allegations about EVM battery levels influencing results. Congress had claimed that EVMs with higher battery charges favoured BJP candidates. In response, Kumar assured that detailed clarifications would be shared on the Election Commission's website, and a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document would be published.
  
  He stated, "It is a single-use battery, it can be used for five-seven days when it is put in an EVM. It is like a calculator battery that is not chargeable...The battery can go till five years. The battery percentage depends on use. In our provision, it includes percentage of charge and output which is measured in voltage. Machines require very low voltage anywhere between 7.5 to 8 voltage is considered perfect for use... After commissioning, mock polls are held so that can use up some battery charge... If it reaches 5.8, there is a signal that the battery is going to stop. We will give a detailed response on FAQ."
  
  


• On the Jharkhand Assembly elections, Rajiv Kumar mentioned that the polls would be held in two phases due to naxal-affected areas. In contrast, Maharashtra will see a single-phase election. The Assembly polls in Maharashtra are scheduled for November 20, while Jharkhand will vote on November 13 and 20, with results for both states to be declared on November 23. According to Rajiv Kumar, there are 9.63 crore eligible voters in Maharashtra and 2.6 crore in Jharkhand. 
  
  This announcement also included bye-elections to 47 assembly seats and the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat, scheduled for November 13.