Karnataka is voting today. The months of endless campaigns, slogans, blames and political mudslinging will culminate today when the voters of the state will decide the fates of 222 constituencies for the assembly. But like most elections post-2014 Lok Sabha, the cries of conspiracy has already started.
Congress leader Brijesh Kalappa who is a Supreme Court lawyer and Congress media coordinator for the assembly elections has tweeted alleging an EVM hacking conspiracy.
There are 5 booths opposite my Parent’s apartment at RMV II Stage, Bengaluru. In the 2nd booth, any button pressed registers a vote ONLY to kiwi mele Kamala i.e Kamal ke phool. Angry voters are returning without casting their vote.
— Brijesh Kalappa (@brijeshkalappa) May 12, 2018
The Congress leader has alleged that in a booth opposite his parent’s house any button pressed registers a vote only for Lotus. He, of course, has not bothered to explain that when only one vote is allowed near the voting machine at a time, how did people decide that ‘any button pressed goes to Lotus’ because if we pause and think, for a number of people to agree on a matter like that, they must have experimented and discussed by voting again and again. Even if people discuss their electoral choices after they voted, why is the fact that people might have actually voted for BJP so unacceptable to Mr Kalappa? Afterall, democracy is about giving the citizen the power to choose their leaders.
As far as there being 5 booths at a single location opposite a residential apartment complex is concerned, that seems a whole different kind of problem.
Whatever be the allegations, people in social media are having a great time over it.
Today is the day when all buttons, be it EVMs, ATMs, Fans or Microwaves, will all vote for Kamal ka phool https://t.co/JxKTAsZ66h
— Divya (@divya_16_) May 12, 2018
Bengaluru is India’s silicon valley, so it is totally expected that EVM hacking techniques there will not involve last decade technologies like Bluetooth like the Gujaratis use.
What’s is this, yet no reports of EVMs hacked via Bluetooth in Karnataka? Has tech capital of India found new method to hack, @sagarikaghose? pic.twitter.com/zfvK3Imwmw
— iMac_too (@iMac_too) May 12, 2018
Why are you angry @brijeshkalappa It has been programmed like that.. Its no EVM defect… Even when we press buttons on automated cola machines… It thanks us for voting “Kamal”…. https://t.co/5vFNB4bCKd
— MediaCrooks (@mediacrooks) May 12, 2018
The day has just started, many more innovative theories from Congress leaders are expected. Maybe Bollywood producers should take a break from wedding dramas and start making science fiction movies where EVM machines will develop cognitive abilities and take over humanity. There is no apparent lack of imaginative writers among Congress leadership and media anyway.
