EVMs again questioned; ECI rubs off the accusations
Total Views |
New Delhi, January 22: With barely four months left for the Lok Sabha polls, the EVMs are again in the spotlight. This is after the Indian origin US cyber expert made new charges against the voting machines. Sayeed Shuja, who is supposed to design the EVMs used in India, alleges that the signals within can be manipulated and EVM can be rigged in that fashion. The Election Commission of India, however standing firmly over the matter is examining the required legal actions to be taken against.
Rejecting the outlandish and explosive claims, the Election Commission of India (ECI) asserted that it firmly stands by the foolproof nature of its machines even as it said it is examining as to what legal action can and should be taken in the matter.
“It needs to be reiterated that these EVMs are manufactured in Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) under very strict supervisory and security conditions and there are rigorous Standard Operating Procedures meticulously observed at all stages under the supervision of a Committee of eminent technical experts constituted way back in 2010”, clarified the commission.
In a global conference on Monday, Shuja made some sensational claims of EVM being hacked but was unable to give any proof. He made a series of wild charges claiming he took refuge in the US after facing threats to his life for exposing EVM hacking. He however did not hack an EVM live as he claimed he would be doing.
Interestingly senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal was spoted at the hackathon in London and that led to comments that this was being sponsored by the Congress. The Congress has refused to comment on Sibal’s presence for the party, says it would return to the ballet boxes.
Meanwhile, BJP has accused Congress of defaming India abroad calling the EVM hackathon on the Congress conspiracy. “After Rafale, the non-existent loan waiver to 15 industrialists – the next big lie uprising is EVM hacking. Was the Election Commission & millions of Staffers involved in manufacturing, programming of EVMs & conduct of elections during the UPA Government in collusion with the BJP – absolutely rubbish”, said Arun Jailtey slamming the Congress at the outset.
Further targeting the Congress and the other opposition parties of indulging in negative politics over the EVMs, BJP hit them ahead saying that sensing defeat in the coming elections, they have started spreading such rumours.
“There are few powers behind the hacking, which has hacked the brain of Congress, who is working with that mindset”, said the Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi roundly.