Authors
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
Claim
Women in Manipur broke EVMs after they noticed that no matter which button they pressed, they only saw the lotus symbol being printed. (Archive Link)
Fact
A reverse image search of a keyframe of the viral video led us to a similar video uploaded by NDTV on their YouTube channel dated April 19, 2024. The title of the video is ‘EVMs Vandalised Over “Proxy Voting” Allegations In Manipur‘. “Proxy voting” is the practice of illegally giving one’s voting authority to another individual to cast a vote on one’s behalf.
Indian Express also reported the incident and posted the same video on their YouTube on April 19, 2024. The report also addressed proxy voting incidents, no complaints regarding EVM and VVPAT systems have been heard.
The Election Commission also dismissed the claim as Fake. Taking the X handle the CEO Manipur wrote, “The video seen here is a case of mob violence in a Polling Station (3/21 Khurai Assembly Segment) in Imphal East and Re-poll has already been done in the said Polling Station on 22 April, 2024. No case of mismatch on the button pressed in the Ballot Unit and Paper Slip generated through VVPAT has been alleged by anyone or found. Legal action is being taken up for spreading FAKE NEWS.“
Conclusion
The claim is misleading and it shows that the EVMS are destroyed in a polling booth in Manipur due to proxy voting.
Result: Partly False/ Misleading
Source
Report by NDTV on April 19,2024
Report by Indian Express on April 19,2024
Authors
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
