EVMs utilized in Maharashtra polls are tamper-proof, ECI confirms

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday stated that the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) used for the 2024 Maharashtra Legislative Assembly polls are “tamper-proof”, following an in depth checking and verification train discovered no irregularities.

The verification was ordered after 10 candidates, who contested the November 2024 elections, sought the ECI to examine the used EVMs – poll models, management models and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT). The Maharashtra Chief Electoral Officer (CEC) carried out the train following the ECI’s June 17 directives. The directives additionally come after Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) candidates alleged discrepancies within the EVMs and mismatched numbers in VVPAT slips.

“CEC carried out the train throughout 10 Assembly constituencies and located that in all circumstances the machines handed the diagnostic exams and there was no mismatch within the rely of VVPAT slips. This train proves, but once more, that the voting machines are tamper-proof,” ECI stated in a press release, highlighting that the verification course of was carried out within the presence of eight candidates, who sought verification of the voting machines.

The take a look at was carried out on 48 poll models, 31 management models and 31 VVPATs, together with diagnostic exams for verifying burnt reminiscence/microcontroller within the constituencies of Kopri-Pachpakhadi and Thane in Thane district, Khadakwasla in Pune district, Majalgaon in Beed district, Arni in Yavatmal, Yevla in Nashik, Chandgad and Kolhapur North in Kolhapur, and Panvel and Alibaug in Raigad.

“The authorised engineers from the producer (ECIL) licensed that each one machines handed the diagnostic exams. Thereafter, a mock ballot was carried out on the machines on the candidates’ request. The outcomes of the EVM have been verified with the VVPAT slips rely, and no mismatch was discovered,” the ECI stated.