The Election Commission of India (ECI) has responded to the claims made against the sanctity of their electoral process after Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Waikar’s win in the Mumbai North West constituency by a narrow margin of 48 votes prompted close media scrutiny and allegations of EVM tampering controversy— particularly when a media report surfaced and claimed that Mangesh Pandilkar, Waikar’s brother-in-law, had used a ‘mobile phone’ to unlock an EVM during the vote count. This report caused understandable uproar, with demands for a thorough investigation into the matter. 

The ECI has clarified that the EVM cannot be unlocked by a mobile phone using OTP as it is non-programmable and has no wireless communication capabilities. Mumbai District Election Officer issued a statement clarifying that EVMs do not require a One-Time Password (OTP) for unlocking as they are standalone systems.

EVM Tampering Controversy: ECI Reaffirms Standalone System Security

Returning Officer Vandana Suryavanshi and Mumbai police categorically denied any such incident, stating that no unauthorised access to EVMs occured during the counting process. 

Mangesh Pandilkar and a polling official, Dinesh Gurav have been booked by Vanrai police under section 188 of the Indian Penal Code, indicating that the issue does not relate to ‘unlocking’ the EVM with a personal mobile phone but by using mobile phone inside the counting centres, which has been banned by the ECI. 

EVM tampering controversy
Image Source: भारत निर्वाचन आयोग - Election Commission

The ECI has maintained that the EVMs are tamper-proof. They have multiple layers of security to prevent any form of manipulation. Responding to the claims of EVM manipulation, the ECI responded, “It is a complete lie being spread by a newspaper, which is being used by some leaders to create false narratives. EVMs are standalone devices without any wired or wireless connectivity with units outside the EVM system. Advanced technical features and robust administrative safeguards are in place to rule out any possibility of manipulation.”

Despite these assurances, opposition leaders and some members of the general public remain skeptical. The controversy has led to a fresh political slugfest, with prominent figures like Rahul Gandhi citing the media report as evidence of potential tampering. This has added to the fuel of the ongoing debate about electoral integrity and trustworthiness of electronic voting systems. 

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thakeray has claimed cowardice, touting that the ECI lacked courage or it would release the CCTV footage related to the incident. 

To this, Suryavanshi shot back and said that the CCTV footage can only be released on the orders of the court. The issue stems by a ‘complete lie being spread by a newspaper’ which has been served a defamation notice for spreading false news under section 499, 505 of the Indian Penal Code. 

The ECI has also announced that legal actions will be taken against those who have spread false information about EVM tampering. “RO is proceeding against Mid-day newspaper for spreading rumours maligning Indian voters and the electoral system,” the ECI said. 

“Criminal case has already been filed by the Returning Officer. There is no OTP (One Time Password) on mobile for unlocking EVM as it is non-programmable and it has no wireless communication capabilities.”

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