The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced a stringent crackdown on the dissemination of false information regarding Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Individuals found propagating unverified claims about EVM tampering or hacking will face criminal charges, as the ECI intensifies efforts to uphold the integrity of the electoral process.
This decisive action follows a series of incidents where misleading information about EVMs was circulated, potentially undermining public confidence in the electoral system. In March 2021, the ECI lodged a First Information Report (FIR) against individuals spreading false news about EVM hacking attributed to former Chief Election Commissioner T.S. Krishnamurthy. The ECI clarified that these claims were baseless and reaffirmed the reliability of EVMs.
In April 2024, the Supreme Court of India rejected petitions seeking 100% verification of votes cast through EVMs with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips, emphasizing the need for a “culture of trust” in the electoral process.
Despite these assurances, instances of misinformation persist. In June 2024, a report falsely claimed that EVMs were unlocked using mobile phones in Mumbai. The ECI debunked this claim, stating that EVMs are standalone devices without any external connectivity, making such tampering impossible.
The ECI has consistently maintained that its EVMs are secure and tamper-proof. Each EVM has a unique serial number, and the ECI employs tracking software to monitor their location, ensuring that any manipulation at the manufacturing stage is ruled out.
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By initiating criminal proceedings against those spreading false information about EVMs, the ECI aims to deter the spread of misinformation and preserve public trust in India’s electoral system.
