Poll body ECI dismisses Congress claims of EVM tampering in Haryana elections, says 'can't be hacked'

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar on Tuesday (Oct 15) dismissed claims made by Congress after losing in Assembly elections in the Indian state of Haryana, alleging that the Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) could be tampered with like pagers. 

The CEC said that the battery of an EVM is like a calculator battery, adding that the machines are safe and robust. 

Kumar also asked how much more transparent can one be, noting that the machines are safe. 

Congress alleges EVM tampering

After the Haryana polls were concluded, Congress alleged tampering of EVMs for some seats where machines with varying battery strength gave out different results.

"It (EVM) has a single-use battery which can be used for 5-7 days. It's like a calculator battery. We have made a provision. It is initially marked as 99 per cent and charged. It can differ based on the difference of voltage. When it drops to 5.8 per cent, it gives a signal that it is about to die," Kumar said, adding that the system is foolproof. 

He stressed that the batteries are put on the day the EVMs are commissioned and not before. The EVMs are not connected, hence they can't be hacked into, he added. 

Also read: India's Election Commission to announce schedule for Maharashtra and Jharkhand assembly polls today

"I have explained it many times. It will take time but let me explain again. Before 5-6 months of polls, checking begins. At every step of the EVM process, political parties or their agents are present. We put in a new battery and after sealing there are signatures of the agent. There's a three-layer of security including CAPF and observers. The process is videographed. The EVM numbers are also shared. When polls are over, even then we take signatures. How much more can we show? On counting day, it goes inside barricading. There's a provision for objecting to any of this at any stage which has not happened," Kumar said. 

He further highlighted that the different results in the past 15-20 elections do not imply faults with the machines but rather reflect the voters' choices.

Watch | Election Commission Of India Announces Dates For Maharashtra and Jharkhand Polls

Poll schedule for Maharashtra and Jharkhand elections

Maharashtra is scheduled to go to polls on November 20 with over 96.3 million voters to cast votes. 

Meanwhile, over 26 million voters will be voting in the Jharkhand elections, where polls will be held in two phases, on November 13 and 20. 

The counting of votes will be held on November 23. 

(With inputs from agencies)