EVMs 100% Foolproof: CEC Rajiv Kumar On EVM Tampering Charges

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced dates for assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand. Maharashtra will go to poll in a single phase on November 20, while Jharkhand will witness polling in two-phases on November 13 and November 20.
Results for the assembly elections will be announced on November 23, 2024.

Amidst this, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar has dismissed claims about electronic voting machines (EVMs) being tampered with. He assured that EVMs are "100 percent foolproof," highlighting the public's trust in the electoral process through high voter participation.

Congress leaders have recently voiced concerns over EVM security. Rashid Alvi, a Congress leader, suggested reverting to paper ballots due to potential manipulation risks. He cited Israel's alleged hacking of Hezbollah's pagers as an example, questioning EVM security by stating, "If Israel can use pagers and walkie-talkies to target people, then EVMs can be tampered with."

Concerns Over EVM Security

Last week, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh submitted a memorandum to the ECI. The document alleged irregularities during the Haryana elections. Additionally, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera mentioned that the party had compiled a list of 20 constituencies where candidates reported issues with vote counting.

Kumar responded to these allegations by emphasizing the integrity of EVMs. He pointed out that citizens have consistently shown faith in the system by actively participating in elections. "Citizens have shown their faith in the system by actively casting their ballots," Kumar stated.

As the debate continues, the focus remains on ensuring transparent and fair elections. The ECI aims to maintain public confidence in India's electoral process while addressing any concerns raised by political parties or citizens.