In response to concerns raised about discrepancies in voter turnout and vote counting, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar clarified the process of EVM commissioning and security measures. He assured the public that EVMs are tamper-proof and backed his statements with court judgments stating that hacking or altering results is impossible. Kumar also explained the mock poll process done in the presence of election agents to further ensure transparency.
The Election Commission has put an end to speculation about electronic voting machine (EVM) manipulation, stating that the machines are tamper-proof and have consistently upheld the principles of fair elections. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar also addressed concerns about alleged discrepancies in voter lists, asserting that the preparation of electoral rolls is a transparent process involving political parties at every stage. These announcements were made as the dates for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections were announced, with polling to take place on February 5 and counting on February 8.
Bollywood actress Swara Bhasker has taken to social media to express her concerns over her husband Fahad Ahmad's loss in the Maharashtra Assembly Election 2024. She has questioned the Election Commission about the sudden change in results after round 16 and highlights the 99% charged EVM batteries, which she claims were manipulated in favor of BJP. Despite the loss, Swara is grateful for the support they received during their campaign.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has responded to Congress' claims of EVM irregularities in Jharkhand by calling out their inconsistent stance on the matter. He highlighted the party's tendency to only question the integrity of the EVM process when the results aren't favorable to them. Shinde also reaffirmed the public's support for Shiv Sena's win in the recent elections.
As soon as the election date is announced, political parties in India begin their preparations for the upcoming battle. With a shift from paper ballots to Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), the electoral process has evolved significantly. But what happens to these machines after the votes are cast? The EVMs are stored in highly secure strong rooms, and after the results are declared, they are kept for 45 days before being moved to a storage facility. Before the next election, they are retrieved, and the integrity of each machine is verified by representatives from political parties before being reused.
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.