Image Credit - Election Commission Of India
Poll Body Defends EVMs Against Hacking Allegations from Congress
As Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar announced the dates for the Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly elections, he addressed allegations from the Congress regarding the security of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) after the party’s defeat in the Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir elections.
The Congress had raised concerns, questioning if EVMs could be hacked in a manner similar to how Israel reportedly hacked Hezbollah pagers in Lebanon.
EVMs Are Secure, Says Chief Election Commissioner
Responding to these concerns, Kumar emphasized that EVMs cannot be hacked, pointing out a fundamental difference between connected devices like pagers and standalone systems like EVMs. “No. EVMs can’t be hacked. It is because pagers are connected, but EVMs are not,” he explained, highlighting that EVMs operate offline and are not susceptible to remote tampering.
Transparency and Security Measures
Kumar further elaborated on the extensive security measures in place to ensure the integrity of the voting process. He assured that the EVMs undergo rigorous checks, including videography, and are operated in front of agents from all political parties. He noted that the battery insertion process, crucial to EVM operation, is conducted transparently before party representatives, leaving no room for tampering.
Exit Polls and Election Dates
The Chief Election Commissioner also addressed discrepancies between exit polls and actual results, suggesting that media houses should reflect on their methods. He pointed out that early reporting of election leads can create false expectations among the public. “My counting begins at 8:30 am and TV news shows leads at 8:05-8:10…Is it justify the exit polls?” he remarked, highlighting the gap between reported leads and the actual counting process.
The Assembly elections in Maharashtra will occur in a single phase on November 20, while Jharkhand will vote in two phases on November 13 and 20. The vote counting for both states is set for November 23, with the Election Commission aiming for a smooth and transparent process amidst the ongoing scrutiny of EVMs.
