Election authorities and independent fact-checkers refuted a widely shared video clip alleging that Electronic Voting Machines automatically switched votes from an opposition candidate to the ruling party during legislative assembly by-elections in Assam. The misleading video showed a distorted EVM display panel and claimed that every button press registered for a specific political symbol regardless of voter input.
The Chief Electoral Officer of Assam issued an official clarification, verifying that the viral footage was recorded during an early-morning mock poll demonstration where presiding officers intentionally test machine mechanics in the presence of political polling agents. Technical audits confirmed that the isolated unit experienced a routine battery contact error that was rectified immediately before actual voting commenced, without any data tampering.
Election Commission officials pointed out that mock poll certificates had been signed and verified by all party agents present at the designated polling booth, confirming complete machine integrity. Cyber crime units initiated inquiries to trace the origin of the deceptively clipped video, warning that spreading unverified electoral falsehoods attracts statutory legal prosecution.
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Sources:
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/byelection-bypoll-results-nandigram-rejinagar-madurantakam-dharapuram-thattanchavady-nagaon-live-updates-october-9-2026/article71562394.ece