Poll Official Dismisses EVM Hacking Allegations: ‘Standalone Device, No OTP Needed’

On Sunday, a senior poll official refuted allegations of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) hacking in the Mumbai North West Lok Sabha seat, asserting that EVMs are secure, standalone devices without any communication capabilities.

Returning Officer Vandana Suryavanshi, addressing the media in Mumbai, clarified that EVMs do not require an OTP to function. Her statement came in response to claims that a relative of Shiv Sena MP Eknath Shinde used a mobile phone inside a counting center, allegedly to unlock an EVM. Opposition leaders, citing these claims, alleged EVM hacking.

“EVMs are technically foolproof standalone devices with no provision for wireless or wired communication,” Suryavanshi explained, dismissing the allegations. She emphasized, “There is no need for an OTP with EVMs. Results are generated by simply pressing a button,” and criticized the news as fake and unverified.

“This false narrative is being spread by a newspaper, which some leaders are using to mislead the public,” Suryavanshi asserted. She added that the Election Commission has issued a notice to the Mumbai-based newspaper under IPC sections for defamation and spreading fake news.

Suryavanshi stressed that all Election Commission protocols were strictly followed during the vote counting in the Mumbai North West Lok Sabha seat, with polling and counting agents present throughout.

Also read: Delhi Water Crisis: DJB Office Vandalized, Three Injured In Tap Access Clash

“Robust technical features and administrative safeguards are in place to eliminate any possibility of manipulation,” she assured. “These safeguards include conducting all processes in the presence of candidates or their agents. The counting of ETPBS is done using physical paper ballots, not electronically as falsely claimed.”

Regarding the incident involving a poll officer’s phone used by a relative of Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Waikar, Suryavanshi confirmed that an FIR has been filed and appropriate action will be taken.

Ravindra Waikar won the seat by a narrow margin of 48 votes against Shiv Sena candidate Amol Sajanan Kirtikar. Initial reports had erroneously claimed that Kirtikar, an INDIA bloc candidate, won the seat before the Election Commission officially announced the result.