ECI Affirms Tamper-Proof Security of EVMs in Maharashtra Polls

Fast Summary

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) declared Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) used in the 2024 Maharashtra Legislative Assembly polls as “tamper-proof” following a verification process.
• This exercise was initiated after allegations from Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) candidates about discrepancies in EVMs and mismatched VVPAT slips.
• The verification took place across 10 Assembly constituencies, involving 48 ballot units, 31 control units, and 31 VVPATs.
• Diagnostic tests confirmed that all machines passed essential checks, including verifying burnt memory/microcontroller issues.
• Mock polls were conducted at the request of candidates; results matched perfectly with the VVPAT slips count.
• Eight applicants attended the testing process alongside authorized engineers who certified that all machines functioned correctly.

indian Opinion Analysis

The ECI’s conclusion that EVMs are tamper-proof reinforces trust in India’s election infrastructure amid recurring skepticism. Given allegations raised by opposition parties such as MVA,this obvious diagnostic test strengthens institutional credibility. By conducting evaluations openly and ensuring candidate participation during mock polling exercises and diagnostics, the Commission has aimed to clear doubts regarding electoral processes.

However, despite these findings corroborating machine reliability in selected constituencies during specific tests, larger systemic concerns surrounding election openness may persist among various stakeholders. For India-and Maharashtra specifically-a consistent emphasis on fortifying credibility through verifications like this can help mitigate mistrust around digital voting systems while upholding democratic institutions.

Read More: The Hindu