Why Tulsi Gabbard's Video Has Revived EVM Debate? What Election Commission Said?

Amid the ongoing discussion regarding the credibility of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), a recent video featuring Tulsi Gabbard, former U.S. presidential candidate and director of the U.S. Federal Intelligence Department, has reignited concerns. In the video, Gabbard claims her department has uncovered evidence suggesting that EVMs can be hacked.

In response to these claims, sources from the Election Commission of India stated that India's EVMs are "impenetrable" to hacking. They emphasized, "Our Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are like calculators and are not connected to any system through which tampering or hacking can occur."

Gabbard says in the viral video that there have long been vulnerabilities in electronic voting systems. She warns of the potential for misuse that could manipulate election outcomes. She further urged Americans to adopt paper ballots to ensure trust in the electoral process.

Questions on social media 

The discussion surrounding Gabbard's video has prompted questions on social media about the reliability of EVMs in India. However, the Election Commission has consistently maintained that the integrity of Indian EVMs is beyond reproach. They have invited skeptics to participate in their 'Hacking Challenge' to demonstrate the machines' security.

According to the Election Commission, India's EVMs function independently, similar to basic calculators, and are not connected to the internet or any wireless networks. They have undergone rigorous testing, including verification during the last general election, where over five crore VVPAT slips were matched with voting machine results, yielding consistent outcomes.

The Election Commission said that while various countries utilize different electronic voting systems, India's EVMs are uniquely designed to operate as standalone units. Despite ongoing criticisms from opposition parties, including Congress, the Supreme Court has upheld the use of EVMs, rejecting calls to revert to traditional ballot paper methods.

Prakash Kumar Pandey