Old video shared as protests against EVMs in Maharashtra

Claim: The video shows protests breaking out against the use of EVMs in Maharashtra following the Assembly election results.
Fact: The claim is misleading. The video shows a protest against EVMs in Delhi in January 2024.

After a crushing defeat in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has raised concerns over the manipulation of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Reports suggest so MVA leaders prepare to launch a campaign calling for the scrapping of EVMs in favor of a return to the traditional ballot system. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has also intervened, raising concerns about the reliability of the EVMs and emphasizing the importance of ensuring transparency in the electoral process.

Against this backdrop, a video is circulating on social media in which a large crowd is raising slogans for the removal of EVMs. The accompanying claim suggests that the video shows protests breaking out against EVMs in Maharashtra following the State Assembly election results.

A user on X shared the video and wrote, “The protest against EVM started in Maharashtra, even the biggest parties of the country say they don’t want EVM machines. Remove EVM and bring valid papers!” (Archive)

Another X user has one screenshot from the video and wrote, “In many villages of Maharashtra, people are taking to the streets against the Election Commission because of the EVM.” (Archive)

Fact check

NewsMeter found the claim to be misleading as the video shows a protest against EVMs in Delhi in January 2024.

When performing a reverse image search of the video’s keyframes, we discovered that it was shared by X and Facebook users in February 2024. The messages were about a rising movement for a ban on EVMs which the ‘mainstream media did not report on’. (Archive)

Based on this example, we conducted a keyword search and came across multiple X-posts dated January 31 stating that Bharat Mukti Morcha and other organizations had organized protests against EVMs at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. The messages can be seen here, here And here.

In the viral video and in the videos posted on January 31 and February 1, we noticed identical images such as the board of Janta Dal United (JDU) office.

Upon further investigation we discovered that the JDU office in New Delhi is located at Jantar Mantar Road 7. In addition, we came across a report of Sea Bihar Jharkhand which details the history of the JDU office at this location. The report showed the same signs at the entrance to the party office.

In a post on X on January 31, NCP(SP) leader said Sharad Pawar mentioned the protest organized by Bharat Mukti Morcha at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, advocating a ban on EVMs and a return to ballot papers. He also shared footage from the protest, showing similar footage to the one in question.

Addressed the protest organized by Bharat Mukti Morcha at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.

This protest was organized to ban EVM and bring back the ballot paper, said Bharat Mukti Morcha National President Hon. Vaman Meshram ji was also present. pic.twitter.com/B65313XSdX

— Sharad Pawar (@PawarSpeaks) January 31, 2024

We also found reports of Amar Ujala And Dainik Bhaskar dated January 31. Both media outlets reported a protest at Jantar Mantar organized by several groups, including Bharat Mukti Morcha, Rashtriya Kisan Morcha and Bahujan Mukti Party, against electronic voting machines (EVMs). Protesters from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, Rajasthan and Bihar gathered with banners reading ‘Remove EVMs’.

Therefore, we conclude that the video showing a protest against the use of EVMs is from Delhi in January 2024, and not from Maharashtra. The claim is misleading.

Claim assessment: The video shows protests breaking out against the use of EVMs in Maharashtra following the Assembly election results.

Claimed by: X users

Claim assessed by: NewsMeter

Claim source: X

Claim fact check: Misleading

Fact: The claim is misleading. The video shows a protest against EVMs in Delhi in January 2024.

(This story was originally published by Newsmeterand reissued by NDTV as part of the Shakti Collective)