New Delhi: After the major revelation of electronic voting machines (EVMs) being hacked during the 2014 elections were rigged, the Election Commission on Monday rubbished the sensational claims made by a London-based hacker.
The EC refused to be a party to this “motivated slugfest” and reiterated that the machines were “foolproof”.
An Indian cyber expert, seeking political asylum in the US, claimed that the 2014 general election was “rigged” through EVMs, which, he said, can be hacked.
Addressing a press conference in London via Skype, the man, identified as Syed Suja, said he fled India in 2014 because he felt threatened in the country after the killing of some of his team members.
In a statement issued, the Election Commission said that the EVMs used by it are manufactured by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) under “very strict” supervisory and security conditions.
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It said, there are rigorous standard operating procedures “meticulously observed” at all stages under the supervision of a committee of eminent technical experts constituted in 2010.
“It is being separately examined as to what legal action can and should be taken in the matter,” the EC statement read.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley lashed out at the Congress and termed it as a ‘Next Big Lie’.
After Rafale, the non-existent loan waiver to 15 industrialists – the next big lie – EVM hacking.
— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) January 21, 2019
Taking to his Twitter account, the Finance Minister said, “After Rafale, the non-existent loan waiver to 15 industrialists – the next big lie-EVM hacking. Was the Election Commission & millions of Staffers involved in manufacturing, programming of EVMs & conduct of elections during the UPA Government in collusion with the BJP-absolutely rubbish.”
Was the Election Commission & millions of Staffers involved in manufacturing, programming of EVMs & conduct of elections during the UPA Government in collusion with the BJP – absolutely rubbish.
— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) January 21, 2019
“Does the Congress feel that the people are so gullible that they will swallow any garbage? Insanity in the Congress party is increasingly becoming contagious,” the Finance Minister added.
Does the Congress feel that the people are so gullible that they will swallow any garbage?
Insanity in the Congress party is increasingly becoming contagious— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) January 21, 2019
Apart from the Congress, a number of opposition parties have, in recent days, voiced their concerns over the efficacy of EVMs.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday said that a four-member committee had been formed to decide the future course of action the opposition parties should adopt on EVMs in view of the coming Lok Sabha elections.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, SP president Akhilesh Yadav, BSP leader Satish Mishra, and Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi, are the members of this committee.