Not a recount. Not a protest. Just a technical audit, ordered after his team asked for it. Here’s what’s really going on. The Election Commission isn’t doubting the result; they’re verifying the machine. Engineers from BEL will check 42 ballot units, 14 control units, and 14 VVPATs. They’ll show the stored result, compare it with Form 20, erase it, and run mock polls; with at least 500 test votes. Only then will the machines be certified. And here’s the catch: each candidate pays ₹47,200 per polling station to trigger this. So it’s not free. And it’s not easy. But it’s available; for those who want to be certain. This isn’t just about Stalin. Similar checks are happening in Uthiramerur and Rajapalayam. But in Tiruppattur? No checks yet; because the result is tied up in court after a 1-vote margin. Meanwhile, the Madras HC postponed a petition against Stalin for allegedly hiding trust details in his affidavit. No evidence? No notice. That’s how the system works; slow, careful, and not easily shaken. So if you think EVMs are unverifiable; think again. The process exists. It costs money. It takes time. But it’s real. And sometimes, even giants want to double-check.