New Delhi: Elon Musk took to X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday to praise India’s remarkable efficiency in counting votes in its 2024 Lok Sabha elections, highlighting the country’s ability to process 640 million votes in a single day. Musk contrasted this with the delays in California where vote counting from the November 5 US Presidential elections remains incomplete nearly 20 days later.
Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, shared a post that showcased a media report titled “How India counted 640 million votes in a day”. Musk’s comment read, “India counted 640 million votes in 1 day. California is still counting votes 🤦♂️,” pointing out the stark contrast in the speed of vote tallying between the two nations.
How India Achieved This Speed:
India conducted its 2024 Lok Sabha elections, involving over 900 million eligible voters, with 642 million people casting their votes. Despite this massive turnout, the results were declared within just one day. This efficiency was made possible by the widespread use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), which have been in use since 2000, and the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) system, which adds a layer of transparency to the process.
The counting process was overseen by the Election Commission of India (ECI), and votes were counted in 543 parliamentary constituencies simultaneously, ensuring a quick and coordinated effort. Even during recent state elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand, India managed to count around 90 million votes in a few hours.
Why California Struggles with Delays:
In contrast, California, which has the largest population of any U.S. state, has faced significant delays in counting votes. As of November 24, more than 300,000 ballots remain uncounted weeks after the election. California primarily conducts elections by mail, which adds layers of complexity. These include signature verification, sorting, and processing each ballot before it can be counted.
Unlike India, where the ECI centrally manages elections, the U.S. system is decentralized. Each state and local election office operates independently, with varying resources and laws, leading to longer processing times.
Musk’s Critique:
Musk’s comments have ignited discussions about the efficiency of election systems, with many agreeing with his observations about California’s slow process. Critics argue that the U.S. should learn from India’s centralized and streamlined approach to electoral counting.
This comparison has brought to the forefront the debate over the modernization of electoral systems, particularly in highly populated and diverse regions like California.
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