Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar reaffirmed the safety and robustness of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) on Tuesday, responding to repeated questions about their reliability. “How much more transparent can one be?” he asked, emphasizing the transparency and public participation that the Election Commission ensures regarding EVMs.
Addressing concerns raised by the Congress during the recent Haryana elections, where they alleged EVM tampering due to varying battery strengths, Kumar explained that the machines use single-use batteries that last for 5-7 days, similar to a calculator battery. He clarified that the battery charge may vary due to voltage differences but assured that the system signals when the battery is low, making the machines foolproof and not susceptible to hacking.
Dismissing claims of tampering, Kumar underscored the Commission’s focus on maintaining a secure and transparent electoral process, questioning if any other system has such rigorous disclosure and participation standards.
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