EVM Power Pack Status of 99% Post-Voting is Technically Factual: Election Officer, Anushakti Nagar

Mumbai, November 23: The Election Officer for the 172-Anushakti Nagar Assembly Constituency has clarified that the display of a 99% power pack status on EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines) even after voting is technically factual.

During the counting day of the Maharashtra Assembly elections, a candidate raised concerns regarding the EVM power pack status in some control units (CUs) at polling stations in the 172-Anushakti Nagar constituency. These machines, despite being used throughout the voting day, showed a power pack status of 99%.

Providing a fact-based explanation in line with the Election Commission of India’s guidelines on EVMs, the Election Officer explained that the EVM power pack is designed to handle 2,000 votes with one control unit (CU) and up to four ballot units (BUs) connected. When the capacity usage is high, the voltage decreases gradually. However, when the battery’s capacity falls below the threshold, the voltage drops rapidly.

In scenarios where only one BU is used and fewer than 1,000 votes are recorded, the battery usage is minimal, and the output voltage does not fall below 7.4V. This results in the display of 99% capacity, which is a normal condition.

The Election Officer emphasized that raising objections in such circumstances is baseless and spreading such misconceptions is unwarranted. The official reiterated that the situation observed is technically standard and does not indicate any anomaly.