Elon Musk has lauded the efficiency of India’s vote-counting process while criticizing the prolonged delays in parts of the United States, particularly California.
India’s Record-Breaking Vote Counting Efficiency
India conducted its 2024 Lok Sabha elections earlier this year, involving over 900 million eligible voters, of which a record-breaking 642 million people cast their votes. Despite the massive scale, the results were declared within a single day of counting.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Musk highlighted the contrast between India’s swift counting process and the ongoing delays in the US. Responding to a media report titled ‘How India counted 640 million votes in a day’, Musk wrote:
“India counted 640 million votes in 1 day. California is still counting votes.”
India counted 640 million votes in 1 day.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 24, 2024
California is still counting votes 🤦♂️ https://t.co/ai8JmWxas6
How India Achieves Rapid Vote Counting
India’s ability to efficiently count millions of votes stems from its use of advanced technology and streamlined processes:
- Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs):
Used since 2000, EVMs enable rapid and accurate counting of votes. - Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT):
Introduced for greater transparency, VVPAT produces a paper slip for every vote cast, allowing verification if disputes arise. - Simultaneous Counting Across Constituencies:
India’s 543 parliamentary constituencies conduct vote counting concurrently, under the supervision of the Election Commission of India (ECI). - Postal Ballot Management:
As per Supreme Court guidelines, postal ballots are processed and counted before EVM votes are unsealed, further streamlining the process.
Additionally, votes are tallied in centralised locations overseen by Returning Officers, with results declared round by round.
Even during state elections, such as those in Maharashtra and Jharkhand last week, India managed to count nearly 90 million votes in just a few hours. Maharashtra alone, with a population four times that of California, delivered results efficiently.
Delays in California’s Vote Counting
In stark contrast to India, California faces prolonged delays in vote counting. For the November 5 US presidential election, over 300,000 ballots remained uncounted nearly 20 days later.
Reasons for Delays in California
- Mail-In Voting System:
California primarily conducts elections by mail, requiring multiple time-intensive steps, such as:- Signature verification on ballot envelopes.
- Sorting and opening ballots before tallying begins.
- Decentralized Oversight:
Unlike India’s centralised Election Commission, the US relies on state and local election offices. Each state has its own laws, resources, and timelines, leading to inconsistencies in efficiency.
Musk’s Criticism Sparks Debate
Elon Musk’s remarks have reignited discussions about the efficiency of vote counting processes in different countries. Analysts and voters in the US have raised concerns about the delays and questioned the reliance on decentralized systems that often lack uniformity.
