On October 8th, the results of the Haryana Assembly elections were announced, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerging victorious, defying all odds and predictions within the political circles. The Congress party had been the favorite according to exit polls and public perception, while the BJP was viewed as a long shot, largely due to being cornered by contentious issues like the farmers’ protests and the wrestlers’ protests. However, the BJP managed to turn the situation in its favor and secured an unexpected victory. The BJP’s win did not sit well with left-leaning news outlets and communist-leaning journalists. M.K. Venu, founding editor of The Wire, expressed concerns regarding the election, alleging that there was an issue of 19 lakh missing EVMs. He further claimed that the Election Commission had not provided a satisfactory response to these allegations.
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We began fact-checking the claims made by The Wire editor MK Venu. On May 8, 2019, The Hindu published a report based on an RTI request, stating that 20 lakh EVMs that manufacturers claim to have delivered are “missing” from the Election Commission’s records. The Election Commission’s responses to a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Bombay High Court over the last 13 months highlight the ongoing concerns about this issue.
The PIL, filed on March 27, 2018, by Manoranjan Roy, an RTI activist, focuses on the processes of acquiring, storing, and deploying EVMs and VVPATs by the Election Commission of India (ECI) and State Election Commissions (SECs). It asks for details from the ECI, Maharashtra State Election Commission, the Home Ministry, and two public sector companies—Electronics Corporation of India Ltd (ECIL) and Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL)—regarding the order, supply, and delivery of EVMs. The PIL is based entirely on data obtained through the RTI Act.
The RTI documents revealed major inconsistencies in the procurement, storage, and deployment of EVMs, and pointed to financial irregularities amounting to Rs. 116.55 crore. These documents show significant differences between the number of EVMs the Election Commission claimed to have received and the supply records from the manufacturers. According to the manufacturers, about 20 lakh EVMs that were supposedly delivered to the ECI are missing. Despite seven hearings over the past year, the ECI and SECs have not provided clear answers regarding the missing EVMs.
In response to these allegations, the Election Commission of India (ECI) stated on May 9, 2019, “I invite your attention to story titled “Missing EVMs” by Venkitesh Ramakrishnan, available online in Print Edition dated 24th May of The FRONTLINE. There is no truth in the contention that RTI based Public Interest Petition in the Bombay High Court “points out that 20 lakh EVMs that the manufacturers affirm to have delivered are ‘missing’ from the possession of the Election Commission.”
It is noticed that this news story has selectively quoted some information obtained by an individual through RTI application from multiple Public Authorities and a PIL filed in the Bombay High Court. This news story carries only partial and one-sided information, which is inaccurate and based on specious misinterpretation of the facts in the matter, thereby creating unwarranted doubts in the minds of general public.
The allegations of mismatches in order and supplies thereof; presumption that “the absence of proper system and infrastructure could lead to misplacement of EVMs along with misappropriation of funds” is totally conjectural. As regards concerns about movement of EVMs, for matter of record, it is reiterated that not a single EVM moves out of the designated warehouse without prior approval of the Commission and strict compliance to administrative protocols prescribed for movement of EVMs and VVPATs. The Commission has a robust “EVM Management Software” (EMS) through which the status of every EVM/VVPAT can be tracked on real time basis and only First-Level-Check cleared EVMs, properly logged in EMS, are used for poll purpose. This activity is done transparently with active participation of the Political Parties and Contesting Candidates. As the matter of the quoted PIL is sub-judice, we would not wish to give out further details through media.
As far as, functions of State Election Commissions (SECs) are concerned, it is intimated that State Election Commissions are independent Constitutional bodies which are responsible for conducting local body elections. ECI has no jurisdiction in matters pertaining to the SECs. Any modification or development done by any PSU with regard to any EVM used or procured by any State Election Commission is outside the purview of the Election Commission of India.
It is hoped that your magazine would observe the highest professional and ethical standards in reporting and would not be a party, even unwittingly, to malicious efforts at spreading misinformation.”
In a further debunking of claims about missing EVMs, the ECI addressed allegations of 15 lakh missing EVMs, calling them “misleading and fake” and emphasizing that “facts are twisted and presented selectively. There are no missing EVMs, and the Honorable Supreme Court has dismissed petitions on this matter.”
Additionally, during the 2024 general elections, the Indian New Congress Party (INCP) filed a petition claiming that 19 lakh missing EVMs could be used to manipulate the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The Supreme Court dismissed the petition, calling the claims “completely baseless.”
In conclusion, the claim by The Wire founding editor MK Venu that 19 lakh EVMs are still missing is false. The Election Commission had already addressed these allegations five years ago, clarifying that EVM transportation is managed through the robust EMS, which tracks EVMs in real-time. Only EVMs cleared by a First-Level Check and logged in the system are used for polling. The Supreme Court also dismissed the missing EVMs plea during the 2024 general elections, labeling it a baseless accusation.
| Claim | 19 lakh EVMs are still missing, and the Election Commission has not provided a satisfactory explanation. |
| Claimed by | MK Venu |
| Fact Check | The Election Commission had already responded to this allegation five years ago, and in 2024, the Supreme Court dismissed the plea regarding the 19 lakh missing EVMs, calling it baseless. |
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