Congress leaders have raised concerns about EVM tampering in Haryana, citing results from machines with varying battery strength. However, sources from the Election Commission have rejected these claims, stating that alkaline batteries used in EVMs have the property of regaining voltage when switched off, which explains the discrepancies in battery percentages. The EC further clarified that initial battery strength is determined on the day of commissioning in the presence of candidates, and the control unit remains functional as long as the battery has more than 5.8 volts, similar to a vehicle running on reserve fuel.
Following recent remarks made by Elon Musk regarding the elimination of EVMs, Opposition leaders have expressed doubts about the credibility and transparency of India's electoral process. Congress's Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav have both called for greater scrutiny and accountability of EVMs, with Gandhi going so far as to say that democracy becomes a "sham" without these measures. With allegations of tampering and the reluctance of BJP to use ballot papers, the use of technology in elections has come under scrutiny and experts are calling for greater oversight.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed concerns over the opacity and lack of scrutiny in India's electoral process, citing a post by Tesla and X CEO Elon Musk advocating for the elimination of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). This comes amidst a controversy in Maharashtra where a relative of a Shiv Sena candidate was found using a phone connected to the EVM, leading to demands for a full count of VVPAT slips and a call for use of traditional paper ballots by opposition parties.
Tech mogul Elon Musk's recent tweet advocating for paper ballots instead of electronic voting machines has sparked a heated debate on social media. While some, like BJP leader Rajeev Chandra Shekhur, have defended the security of Indian EVMs, others, like Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, have pointed to vulnerabilities such as the ability to unlock EVMs with a mobile phone. The controversy highlights the ongoing concerns about the safety and integrity of electronic voting systems.
In a response to Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s call to eliminate Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar has stated that his views do not apply to India. Mr. Chandrasekhar asserted that Indian EVMs are custom-designed, secure, and isolated from any network, unlike regular compute platforms used in other countries. This comes after the news of voting discrepancies in Puerto Rico’s primary elections, which led to a review of the contract with U.S. electronic voting company Dominion Voting Systems.
Elon Musk, CEO of Space X and Tesla, has called for eliminating the use of electronic voting machines as recent events have raised concerns about their vulnerability to hacking. Politicians and election experts have also expressed their concerns, with some calling for a return to paper ballots. These claims have further fueled mistrust in the American public towards the election system.
Ahead of the much-awaited counting day, Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav took to social media to express concerns over alleged discrepancies in EVM numbers in Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh, respectively. While Baghel claimed that thousands of votes could be affected due to the changed EVM numbers, Yadav alleged that police and district administration in UP were detaining Opposition party workers. The Election Commission refuted the allegations, but the Opposition remains optimistic about a potential recovery in certain states.
Workers of the Samajwadi Party have been working round the clock to protect the electronic voting machines (EVMs) stored in strong rooms in different districts, even as exit polls predict a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) victory. In every Assembly segment, ten party workers are working in three shifts to keep a close eye on the EVMs. They are also providing training to the counting agents to spot any attempt of sabotage on the day of counting.
According to the Chief Electoral Officer, the recent news of 30 EVMs failing in the Mahakalapada district of Odisha is completely false and baseless. After it was reported by a local news channel, the CEO addressed the media to clarify the situation and encourage voters to not be discouraged by such false news. The district collector and DM have also denied the false report, adding that proper verification should be done before broadcasting news. This issue has sparked controversy and concern regarding the trustworthiness and accuracy of news channels.
In a shocking turn of events during the final phase of the Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal, a mob reportedly threw Electronic Voting Machines and Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail machines into a pond in Kultai. The Chief Electoral Office has stated that an FIR has been lodged and necessary action has been initiated, with fresh EVMs being provided. PTI has shared visuals of the EVMs floating in water, causing chaos and concern during the fiercely contested elections.