EVM hack allegations are unfounded, says EC

THE POLL PANEL ALSO REITERATED THAT THE EQUIPMENT CANNOT BE LINKED TO THE INTERNET THROUGH CABLES OR WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY

NEWDELHI: The Election Commission (EC), on Saturday, refuted allegations of tampering of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and the voter-verified paper trail machines (VVPAT) in Gujarat, where the first phase of assembly polls was held.

It said the machines that were replaced during the polling were malfunctioning but they were not tampered with.

The poll panel also reiterated that the equipment cannot be linked to the internet through cables or wireless technology, making them safe from hacking and tampering.

The Congress had alleged that EVMs in some booths were found linked to external devices via Bluetooth and that a VVPAT machine in a booth showed the vote recorded in favour of the BJP, while the button was pushed next to the Congress candidate’s name.

“Our officials and BEL engineers were sent to check the EVMs, and it was found that the Bluetooth connection that was showing up as ECO 105 was the connection being used by a polling agent on his phone. EVMs have no ports for connection (through the internet),” Sudeep Jain, deputy election commissioner told mediapersons.

EC officials also said they have not received any complaint of VVPATs showing votes being recorded incorrectly in the state where 68% voting was recorded.

Senior Congress leader Arjun Modhwadia had complained to the EC of possible EVM tampering at three polling booths in a Muslim-dominated area of Porbandar, a seat he is contesting. In his complaint to the EC, he said some EVMs were found to be connecting with external devices such as mobile phones through Bluetooth.

Officials said additional EVMs were ready for a contingency; the total numberof EVMs deployed included 26,865 ballot units and 24,689 control units while24,689 VVPATSwereused.