EC Clears the Air on EVM Tampering Allegations
Amid swirling political doubts and electoral allegations, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has delivered a clear message: the electronic voting machines (EVMs) are tamper-proof.
All EVMs and VVPATs (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails) used during the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly Elections passed comprehensive diagnostic and verification tests. No mismatches were found between the machine count and the paper trail slips.
Verification Across 10 Constituencies
Following complaints from losing candidates, the ECI conducted detailed testing across 10 key constituencies: Kopri-Pachpakhadi, Thane, Panel, Alibag, Khadakwasla, Arni, Yevla, Chandgad, Kolhapur North, and Majalgaon.
A total of 48 ballot units, 31 control units, and 31 VVPAT machines underwent the verification process. The process involved physical inspections and mock polls, all supervised in the presence of the applicants or their representatives.
Two candidates chose not to attend the tests despite How the Testing Was Done
The burnt memory and microchip diagnostics were conducted with engineers from the manufacturing firm ECIL (Electronics Corporation of India Limited). Engineers certified that every machine was in properफ्री wood working order and had not been tampered with.
Following this, mock elections were conducted using the machines. Vote counts from the machines were then cross-verified with the paper slips generated by VVPATs.
The result? No discrepancies were found. Every vote cast was recorded and verified accurately.
Political Allegations Still Persist
Despite these findings, the Congress party has continued to raise concerns about the 2024 election process. Their primary allegations include:
- Sudden voter turnout spikes after 5 PM
- Arbitrary additions and deletions in the electoral rolls
However, the EC’s recent announcement strengthens the institutional claim that India’s electoral system is secure and transparent.
What Does ‘Tamper-Proof’ Really Mean?
EVMs used in India are standalone machines. They do not connect to the internet or any external devices, making remote hacking virtually impossible.
Each machine is sealed, coded, and monitored by a three-tiered security system. EVMs and VVPATs are tested before, during, and after elections to rule out any malfunction or manipulation.
Importance of VVPAT Verification
The VVPAT system was introduced to increase voter confidence. It allows voters to verify that their vote has gone to the intended candidate. Post-election, VVPAT slips from randomly selected booths are matched with EVM counts.
In Maharashtra’s case, the complete match between EVM data and VVPAT slips offers solid proof of electoral integrity.
Conclusion: Trust the Process
India’s democracy, though often noisy, is still one of the strongest. Transparent systems like EVM and VVPAT play a crucial role in upholding that faith. The latest tests have once again proven the robustness of India’s electoral machinery.
As political tempers rise before future polls, these facts will stand tall. Allegations may be political, but the data tells its own story — loud, clear, and trustworthy.
