<p>Actress Swara Bhaskar is levelling serious allegations against the Election Commission of India (ECI) after her husband Fahad Ahmed started trailing in Maharashtra's Anushakti Nagar Assembly seat.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Bollywood actress raised concerns about EVM tampering after her husband began to lose in the election to Sana Malik, a nominee of Ajit Pawar's NCP.</p>

<p>Saying that Ahmed was ahead in the race until EVMs with 99 per cent charge were opened, Bhasker wrote on X, "In #AnushaktiNagar vidhaan sabha after a steady lead by&nbsp;@FahadZirarAhmad of NCP-SP.. round 17, 18, 19 suddenly 99% battery charger EVMs are opened and BJP supported NCP-Ajit Pawar candidate takes lead. How can machines that have been voted on ALL day long have 99% charged batteries? Why do all 99% charged batteries give votes to BJP and its allies?''</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">In <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AnushaktiNagar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AnushaktiNagar</a> vidhaan sabha after a steady lead by <a href="https://twitter.com/FahadZirarAhmad?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FahadZirarAhmad</a> of NCP-SP.. round 17, 18, 19 suddenly 99% battery charger EVMs are opened and BJP supported NCP-Ajit Pawar candidate takes lead. How can machines that have been voted on ALL day long have 99% charged… <a href="https://t.co/GknxDWOb5v">https://t.co/GknxDWOb5v</a></p>
— Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) <a href="https://twitter.com/ReallySwara/status/1860231522936390037?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 23, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>Tagging the ECI, on X she asked the agency to answer the alleged irregularities in the EVM machines.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">After round 16 and a steady lead in all rounds.. EVM machines that were 99% charged were opened and BJP supported NCP Ajit Pawar candidate took a lead .. <a href="https://twitter.com/ECISVEEP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ECISVEEP</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SpokespersonECI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SpokespersonECI</a> this is rank manipulation. We demand a recount of rounds 16, 17, 18 and 19. <a href="https://t.co/Z2JuUyIQqc">pic.twitter.com/Z2JuUyIQqc</a></p>
— Fahad Ahmad (@FahadZirarAhmad) <a href="https://twitter.com/FahadZirarAhmad/status/1860233509694230925?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 23, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>"How can machines that have been voted on ALL day long have 99% charged batteries? Why do all 99% charged batteries give votes to BJP and its allies?" she wrote.</p>

<p>As per the accusations by Ahmad&nbsp;and his wife Swara, he was leading until round 16 in the Anushakti Nagar Assembly seat. However, he suddenly began trailing when the machines that were changed 99 per cent&nbsp;were opened. They both are demanding recounting&nbsp;of rounds 16, 17, 18 and 19.&nbsp;</p>

<p>With 45,963 votes, Fahad lost the seat to Sana Malik who won with 49,341 votes and a margin of 3,378 votes.<br />
<br />
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Mahayuti alliance registered a landslide victory in the Maharashtra Assembly polls, winning&nbsp;232 seats.</p>


Actress Swara Bhaskar is levelling serious allegations against the Election Commission of India (ECI) after her husband Fahad Ahmed started trailing in Maharashtra's Anushakti Nagar Assembly seat.

Actress Swara Bhaskar is levelling serious allegations against the Election Commission of India (ECI) after her husband Fahad Ahmed started trailing in Maharashtra's Anushakti Nagar Assembly seat. The Bollywood actress raised concerns about EVM tampering after her husband began to lose in the election to Sana Malik, a nominee of Ajit Pawar's NCP. Saying that Ahmed was ahead in the race until EVMs with 99 per cent charge were opened, Bhasker wrote on X, "In #AnushaktiNagar vidhaan sabha after a steady lead by @FahadZirarAhmad of NCP-SP.. round 17, 18, 19 suddenly 99% battery charger EVMs are opened and BJP supported NCP-Ajit Pawar candidate takes lead. How can machines that have been voted on ALL day long have 99% charged batteries? Why do all 99% charged batteries give votes to BJP and its allies?'' In #AnushaktiNagar vidhaan sabha after a steady lead by @FahadZirarAhmad of NCP-SP.. round 17, 18, 19 suddenly 99% battery charger EVMs are opened and BJP supported NCP-Ajit Pawar candidate takes lead. How can machines that have been voted on ALL day long have 99% charged… https://t.co/GknxDWOb5v — Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) November 23, 2024 × Tagging the ECI, on X she asked the agency to answer the alleged irregularities in the EVM machines. After round 16 and a steady lead in all rounds.. EVM machines that were 99% charged were opened and BJP supported NCP Ajit Pawar candidate took a lead .. @ECISVEEP @SpokespersonECI this is rank manipulation. We demand a recount of rounds 16, 17, 18 and 19. pic.twitter.com/Z2JuUyIQqc — Fahad Ahmad (@FahadZirarAhmad) November 23, 2024 × "How can machines that have been voted on ALL day long have 99% charged batteries? Why do all 99% charged batteries give votes to BJP and its allies?" she wrote. As per the accusations by Ahmad and his wife Swara, he was leading until round 16 in the Anushakti Nagar Assembly seat. However, he suddenly began trailing when the machines that were changed 99 per cent were opened. They both are demanding recounting of rounds 16, 17, 18 and 19. With 45,963 votes, Fahad lost the seat to Sana Malik who won with 49,341 votes and a margin of 3,378 votes. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Mahayuti alliance registered a landslide victory in the Maharashtra Assembly polls, winning 232 seats.

Swara Bhaskar alleges EVM tampering as her husband Fahad Ahmad loses in Maharashtra election

Prime Minister Narendra Modi slams opposition parties for creating 'Needless Controversy' over Election Commission of India. Opposition parties alleges tampering of EVM.

PM Modi slams opposition for creating 'Needless controversy' over EC

The Election Commission of India rejects opposition party's plea to verify VVPAT. It is a major setback for the opposition parties as EVM tampering is a major issue coined by many parties in India.

Setback for opposition ahead of LS results; EC rejects VVPAT verification demand

<p>The Election Commission on Tuesday said that the reports of alleged movement of EVMs, purportedly to replace polled EVMs in strongrooms are "absolutely false", adding that visuals doing the rounds in&nbsp;sections of media "do not pertain to any EVMs used during the polls".</p>

<p>"Complaints of alleged movement of EVMs, purportedly to replace polled EVMs in strongrooms, doing rounds in sections of media. Would like to unambiguously clarify that reports are absolutely false. Visuals seen viral on media do not pertain to any EVMs used during the polls," the EC clarified.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Election Commission: The provisions and protocols have been explained to the political parties on multiple occasions including in several of the 93 meetings held with them at the Commission since announcement of elections. <a href="https://t.co/AlYAbaokGg">https://t.co/AlYAbaokGg</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1130776864119635973?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>"The provisions and protocols have been explained to the political parties on multiple occasions including in several of the 93 meetings held with them at the Commission since the announcement of elections," the Commission released.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The top poll body also stated that any lapse in the handling of reserve EVMs will be investigated and action will be taken against those responsible.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The aspersions in clips being used in media merely pertain to the storage or movement of reserve unused EVMs. However, any case of lapse even in the handling of reserve EVMs is thoroughly investigated and disciplinary action will be taken against the officers responsible".</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Election Commission: The aspersions in clips being used in media merely pertain to the storage or movement of reserve unused EVMs. However any case of lapse even in handling of reserve EVMs is thoroughly investigated and disciplinary action taken against the officers responsible</p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1130777136841682944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>Meanwhile, President Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday also <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/onus-of-ensuring-institutional-integrity-lies-with-election-commission-pranab-mukherjee-220406">expressed concern over alleged EVM tampering</a> and said that the onus of ensuring institutional integrity of the poll body lies with the EC and it must put all speculation to rest.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, 22 opposition parties submitted a memorandum before the Election Commission today requesting that the verification of VVPAT slips of randomly identified (05) polling stations should be done prior to the initiation of counting of votes and not after the completion of last round of counting, news agency ANI reported.</p>

<p>In the memorandum, the opposition leaders have also demanded that if any discrepancy is found anywhere during the VVPAT verification, 100 per cent counting of paper slips of VVPATs of all polling stations of that assembly segment should be done.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">In the memorandum, the opposition leaders have also demanded that if any discrepancy is found anywhere during the VVPAT verification, 100% counting of paper slips of VVPATs of all polling stations of that assembly segment should be done. <a href="https://t.co/mRIbkvlL4v">https://t.co/mRIbkvlL4v</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1130782089794772993?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/this-is-nonsense-says-supreme-court-dismissing-pil-seeking-100-vvpat-verification-220408">The Supreme Court, earlier in the day, dismissed a PIL</a> seeking 100 per cent matching of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) during the counting of votes on May 23 for Lok Sabha polls.</p>

<p>"The CJI had dealt with this matter. Why are you taking chance before a two-judge vacation bench," the apex court asked.</p>

<p>"We cannot override the CJI's order... This is nonsense. The petition is taken on board. Dismissed," Justice Mishra said.</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


The Election Commission on Tuesday said that the reports of alleged movement of EVMs, purportedly to replace polled EVMs in strongrooms are "absolutely false", adding that visuals doing the rounds in sections of media "do not pertain to any EVMs used during the polls".

The Election Commission on Tuesday said that the reports of alleged movement of EVMs, purportedly to replace polled EVMs in strongrooms are "absolutely false", adding that visuals doing the rounds in sections of media "do not pertain to any EVMs used during the polls". "Complaints of alleged movement of EVMs, purportedly to replace polled EVMs in strongrooms, doing rounds in sections of media. Would like to unambiguously clarify that reports are absolutely false. Visuals seen viral on media do not pertain to any EVMs used during the polls," the EC clarified. Election Commission: The provisions and protocols have been explained to the political parties on multiple occasions including in several of the 93 meetings held with them at the Commission since announcement of elections. https://t.co/AlYAbaokGg — ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2019 × "The provisions and protocols have been explained to the political parties on multiple occasions including in several of the 93 meetings held with them at the Commission since the announcement of elections," the Commission released. The top poll body also stated that any lapse in the handling of reserve EVMs will be investigated and action will be taken against those responsible. "The aspersions in clips being used in media merely pertain to the storage or movement of reserve unused EVMs. However, any case of lapse even in the handling of reserve EVMs is thoroughly investigated and disciplinary action will be taken against the officers responsible". Election Commission: The aspersions in clips being used in media merely pertain to the storage or movement of reserve unused EVMs. However any case of lapse even in handling of reserve EVMs is thoroughly investigated and disciplinary action taken against the officers responsible — ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2019 × Meanwhile, President Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday also expressed concern over alleged EVM tampering and said that the onus of ensuring institutional integrity of the poll body lies with the EC and it must put all speculation to rest. Meanwhile, 22 opposition parties submitted a memorandum before the Election Commission today requesting that the verification of VVPAT slips of randomly identified (05) polling stations should be done prior to the initiation of counting of votes and not after the completion of last round of counting, news agency ANI reported. In the memorandum, the opposition leaders have also demanded that if any discrepancy is found anywhere during the VVPAT verification, 100 per cent counting of paper slips of VVPATs of all polling stations of that assembly segment should be done. In the memorandum, the opposition leaders have also demanded that if any discrepancy is found anywhere during the VVPAT verification, 100% counting of paper slips of VVPATs of all polling stations of that assembly segment should be done. https://t.co/mRIbkvlL4v — ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2019 × The Supreme Court, earlier in the day, dismissed a PIL seeking 100 per cent matching of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) during the counting of votes on May 23 for Lok Sabha polls. "The CJI had dealt with this matter. Why are you taking chance before a two-judge vacation bench," the apex court asked. "We cannot override the CJI's order... This is nonsense. The petition is taken on board. Dismissed," Justice Mishra said.

Reports of alleged EVM tampering are 'absolutely false': Election Commission

After a few incidents of EVM’s being transported allegedly without any security were reported from Uttar Pradesh, the Election Commission has come out with a statement calling the allegations “baseless and frivolous”.

Election Commission reacts on allegations over EVM tempering; says 'baseless'

<p>For voicing their concern against the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, 22 opposition parties, including the Trinamool Congress (TMC), will visit the Election Commission on Monday.</p>

<p>Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien said all opposition parties will go to the Election Commission against the use of EVMs in order to "save constitution and federal structure."</p>

<p>"We have spoken to all opposition parties, we all will go forward. We have to save the Constitution, the country and the federal structure. Later today, all opposition parties will go to the Election Commission," the TMC leader told the&nbsp;media.</p>

<p>Earlier on Friday, opposition parties had announced that they would approach the ECI over the issue of alleged tampering of EVMs.</p>

<p>Congress president Rahul Gandhi, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Samajwadi Party’s Ram Gopal Yadav, Bahujan Samaj Party’s Satish Chandra Mishra, DMK’s Kanimozhi, Trinamool Congress’ Derek O’Brien, CPI’s D Raja were among those who attended the meeting.&nbsp;</p>


For voicing their concern against the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, 22 opposition parties, including the Trinamool Congress (TMC), will visit the Election Commission on Monday.

For voicing their concern against the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, 22 opposition parties, including the Trinamool Congress (TMC), will visit the Election Commission on Monday. Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien said all opposition parties will go to the Election Commission against the use of EVMs in order to "save constitution and federal structure." "We have spoken to all opposition parties, we all will go forward. We have to save the Constitution, the country and the federal structure. Later today, all opposition parties will go to the Election Commission," the TMC leader told the media. Earlier on Friday, opposition parties had announced that they would approach the ECI over the issue of alleged tampering of EVMs. Congress president Rahul Gandhi, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Samajwadi Party’s Ram Gopal Yadav, Bahujan Samaj Party’s Satish Chandra Mishra, DMK’s Kanimozhi, Trinamool Congress’ Derek O’Brien, CPI’s D Raja were among those who attended the meeting.

EVM tampering issue: TMC, 21 other opposition parties to move Election Commission

<p>The District administration here has sealed the doors of the room where Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) have been kept after the elections by constructing brick walls.</p>

<p>The strong room has been sealed locked after storing the EVM's of three assembly constituencies of the district.</p>

<p>Sharing details of this unusual security measure district collector Mahadev Kawre said, "To keep EVM`s secure we have erected a wall. Gates have been kept sealed locked but the wall is an added precaution. Security of EVM is of utmost importance. We have deployed a company of central force with 120 personnel. CCTV is also being used for monitoring. Construction of wall has also been done as per rules. "</p>

<p>On being asked about how he came up with this idea, he said, "I queried about the measures that were taken in last elections and was told that a half wall was erected on the gates. In order to avoid any allegations or counters, we decided to make a full wall."</p>

<p>The first phase of elections in Chhattisgarh was held for 18 seats, distributed in eight Naxal-affected districts on November 12.</p>

<p>The polling for remaining 72 seats was held on November 20. The counting of votes will take place on December 11. A total of 1,291 candidates are in the fray.&nbsp;</p>


The District administration here has sealed the doors of the room where Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) have been kept after the elections by constructing brick walls.

The District administration here has sealed the doors of the room where Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) have been kept after the elections by constructing brick walls. The strong room has been sealed locked after storing the EVM's of three assembly constituencies of the district. Sharing details of this unusual security measure district collector Mahadev Kawre said, "To keep EVM`s secure we have erected a wall. Gates have been kept sealed locked but the wall is an added precaution. Security of EVM is of utmost importance. We have deployed a company of central force with 120 personnel. CCTV is also being used for monitoring. Construction of wall has also been done as per rules. " On being asked about how he came up with this idea, he said, "I queried about the measures that were taken in last elections and was told that a half wall was erected on the gates. In order to avoid any allegations or counters, we decided to make a full wall." The first phase of elections in Chhattisgarh was held for 18 seats, distributed in eight Naxal-affected districts on November 12. The polling for remaining 72 seats was held on November 20. The counting of votes will take place on December 11. A total of 1,291 candidates are in the fray.

Chhattisgarh assembly polls: Doors of EVM stores sealed by constructing walls

<p>Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackrey has challenged the BJP to conduct elections on ballot papers.</p>

<p>The challenge from the leader of the Alliance party has come&nbsp;amid the Opposition's allegations of EVM tampering on BJP.</p>

<p>The opposition targetted the BJP claiming that its victory in the southern state was possible because of EVM tampering.</p>

<p>The accusations came in the wake of BJP emerging as the largest party&nbsp;after the election results in Karnataka.</p>

<p>Reacting to the opposition's allegations against the BJP, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray asked the BJP to conduct elections with a ballot paper.</p>

<p>He said, "Just one time, I want BJP to head into elections with ballot papers and not EVMs. All the apprehensions will go away,".&nbsp;</p>

<p>Further,&nbsp;he was joined by&nbsp;Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray who tweeted, "This is a victory for the Electronic Voting Machine".</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KarnatakaVerdict?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KarnatakaVerdict</a><br />
It’s a victory for the ‘Electronic Voting Machine’ !</p>
— Raj Thackeray (@RajThackeray) <a href="https://twitter.com/RajThackeray/status/996296811210932224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The BJP is having an estranged alliance with its alliance partner Shiv Sena.</p>

<p>Shiv Sena had recently announced its support for Congress nominee Vishwajeet Kadam against the BJP in the upcoming byelection in Maharashtra.</p>

<p><em>(With input&nbsp;from agencies)</em><br />
&nbsp;</p>


Further, he was joined by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray who tweeted, 'This is a victory for the Electronic Voting Machine'

Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackrey has challenged the BJP to conduct elections on ballot papers. The challenge from the leader of the Alliance party has come amid the Opposition's allegations of EVM tampering on BJP. The opposition targetted the BJP claiming that its victory in the southern state was possible because of EVM tampering. The accusations came in the wake of BJP emerging as the largest party after the election results in Karnataka. Reacting to the opposition's allegations against the BJP, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray asked the BJP to conduct elections with a ballot paper. He said, "Just one time, I want BJP to head into elections with ballot papers and not EVMs. All the apprehensions will go away,". Further, he was joined by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray who tweeted, "This is a victory for the Electronic Voting Machine". #KarnatakaVerdict It’s a victory for the ‘Electronic Voting Machine’ ! — Raj Thackeray (@RajThackeray) May 15, 2018 × The BJP is having an estranged alliance with its alliance partner Shiv Sena. Shiv Sena had recently announced its support for Congress nominee Vishwajeet Kadam against the BJP in the upcoming byelection in Maharashtra. (With input from agencies)

Amid allegations of EVM tampering, Shiv Sena challenges BJP to conduct elections on ballot paper

<p>Marking&nbsp;another victory, the Bharatiya Janata Party has managed to hold the Sikandra Assembly seat in the Uttar Pradesh by-elections.</p>

<p>BJP&nbsp;candidate Ajit Singh Pal has secured 44.86 per cent votes against the Samajwadi Party rival Seema Sachan who bagged 37.60 per cent votes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The BJP candidate won by a margin of over 11,861 votes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While the BJP candidate secured 73,284 votes, Congress candidate secured 19,084 and Samajwadi&nbsp;Party&#39;s candidate 61,423 votes.</p>

<p>The Samajwadi and the Congress party claimed that the seals of the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were broken. They alleged that the authorities had tampered with the machines for ensuring the victory of the BJP.</p>

<p>The&nbsp;Superintendent of Police (SP) Ratan Kant Pandey, however, clarified that there were three seals and they&nbsp;were intact.</p>

<p>The elections in the region were conducted after the death of its sitting BJP MLA, Mathura Prasad Pal on July 22.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Over 53 per cent people had exercised their franchise in the bypolls&nbsp;on December 21.</p>

<p>Prime minister Narendra Modi expressed his gratitude to the people of Sikandra for extending their support to the party.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">My gratitude to the people of Sikandra for once again supporting BJP. Our commitment to serving India&#39;s villages and taking them to new heights of progress is unwavering. I congratulate CM <a href="https://twitter.com/myogiadityanath?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@myogiadityanath</a> Ji and the <a href="https://twitter.com/BJP4UP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BJP4UP</a> Team for their stupendous efforts.</p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/944916937171132417?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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BJP's candidate Ajit Singh Pal has secured 44.86 per cent votes against the Samajwadi Party rival Seema Sachan who bagged 37.60 per cent votes

Marking another victory, the Bharatiya Janata Party has managed to hold the Sikandra Assembly seat in the Uttar Pradesh by-elections. BJP candidate Ajit Singh Pal has secured 44.86 per cent votes against the Samajwadi Party rival Seema Sachan who bagged 37.60 per cent votes. The BJP candidate won by a margin of over 11,861 votes. While the BJP candidate secured 73,284 votes, Congress candidate secured 19,084 and Samajwadi Party's candidate 61,423 votes. The Samajwadi and the Congress party claimed that the seals of the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were broken. They alleged that the authorities had tampered with the machines for ensuring the victory of the BJP. The Superintendent of Police (SP) Ratan Kant Pandey, however, clarified that there were three seals and they were intact. The elections in the region were conducted after the death of its sitting BJP MLA, Mathura Prasad Pal on July 22. Over 53 per cent people had exercised their franchise in the bypolls on December 21. Prime minister Narendra Modi expressed his gratitude to the people of Sikandra for extending their support to the party. My gratitude to the people of Sikandra for once again supporting BJP. Our commitment to serving India's villages and taking them to new heights of progress is unwavering. I congratulate CM @myogiadityanath Ji and the @BJP4UP Team for their stupendous efforts. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 24, 2017 ×

BJP retains power in Sikandra, wins UP bypoll

<p>Patidar leader Hardik Patel has&nbsp;claimed that there has been tampering in EVMs in Surat, Rajkot and Ahmedabad.</p>

<p>He said that the gap between the rival candidates was very less in places wherever tempering happened.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">There has been tampering in EVMs in Surat,Rajkot and Ahmedabad, hence the gap is very less wherever tampering happened. EVMs are hackable: Hardik Patel <a href="https://t.co/cPNaItPrbw">pic.twitter.com/cPNaItPrbw</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/942691759900975105?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Before the announcement of election results on Monday morning, the Election Commission had assured that there could not be any tampering of EVMs.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Chief Election Commissioner AK Joti had assured that no tampering could have been done with the EVMs. He said questions being raised about EVMs were already answered in the media.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said that there was VVPATs in every polling stations in Gujarat which enabled voters to see whom they voted for and therefore&nbsp;raising of issues was not a right thing.</p>

<p>The Chief Election Commissioner of India, HS Brahma also said that the matter was &quot;tried and tested&quot; and&nbsp;should be closed once and for all.</p>

<p>He said, &quot;I firmly believe that our EVMs, VVPATs cannot be tampered with. This matter should be closed once and for all as it is tried and tested. EVM is a standalone machine, question of hacking doesn&#39;t arise&quot;.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">&quot;I firmly believe that our EVMs, VVPATs cannot be tampered with. This matter should be closed once and for all as it is tried and tested. EVM is a standalone machine, question of hacking doesn&#39;t arise&quot; says former Chief Election Commissioner of India, HS Brahma <a href="https://t.co/3PwBqP8IA7">pic.twitter.com/3PwBqP8IA7</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/942663065358626816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Former CEC Naveen Chawla,&nbsp;also clarified that EVMs cannot be tampered with, not even in future.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said &quot;EVMs cannot be tampered with, even in the future.I am very clear about this. During my time, BJP had raised doubts on EVM so we had also held a demonstration like earlier this earlier this year for all to come and try rig it.&quot;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">&quot;<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EVMs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EVMs</a> cannot be tampered with, even in the future. I am very clear about this. During my time, BJP had raised doubts on EVM so we had also held a demonstration like earlier this year for all to come and try rig it&quot; says Naveen Chawla, former CEC <a href="https://t.co/xXRpduibUK">pic.twitter.com/xXRpduibUK</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/942666671801503744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>N. Gopalaswami, former CEC also assured that EVMs cannot be tampered with.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said that EVM are&nbsp;standalone machines and that they are not connected to any network and therefore they cannot be influenced over Bluetooth or wireless messages.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He further said that EVMs were only a glorified calculator and it goes dead after it is opened.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">&quot;EVMs are stand alone machines, aren&#39;t connected to any network, can&#39;t be influenced over Bluetooth or wireless message,so to say EVMs have something wrong is absolutely incorrect. It&#39;s only a glorified calculator, moment you open it, it goes dead&quot; says N Gopalaswami, Former CEC <a href="https://t.co/jKWQiV5Gky">pic.twitter.com/jKWQiV5Gky</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/942667680091213825?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The clarifications over Electronic Voting Machines came after the accusations of opposition parties. The Congress and Patidars had accused during the elections that the EVM machines were tampered with. They claimed that the tampering was manipulated by BJP and would help the party to win over the other.&nbsp;</p>


The gap he said was very little wherever tampering occurred

Patidar leader Hardik Patel has claimed that there has been tampering in EVMs in Surat, Rajkot and Ahmedabad. He said that the gap between the rival candidates was very less in places wherever tempering happened. There has been tampering in EVMs in Surat,Rajkot and Ahmedabad, hence the gap is very less wherever tampering happened. EVMs are hackable: Hardik Patel pic.twitter.com/cPNaItPrbw — ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2017 × Before the announcement of election results on Monday morning, the Election Commission had assured that there could not be any tampering of EVMs. Chief Election Commissioner AK Joti had assured that no tampering could have been done with the EVMs. He said questions being raised about EVMs were already answered in the media. He said that there was VVPATs in every polling stations in Gujarat which enabled voters to see whom they voted for and therefore raising of issues was not a right thing. The Chief Election Commissioner of India, HS Brahma also said that the matter was "tried and tested" and should be closed once and for all. He said, "I firmly believe that our EVMs, VVPATs cannot be tampered with. This matter should be closed once and for all as it is tried and tested. EVM is a standalone machine, question of hacking doesn't arise". "I firmly believe that our EVMs, VVPATs cannot be tampered with. This matter should be closed once and for all as it is tried and tested. EVM is a standalone machine, question of hacking doesn't arise" says former Chief Election Commissioner of India, HS Brahma pic.twitter.com/3PwBqP8IA7 — ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2017 × Former CEC Naveen Chawla, also clarified that EVMs cannot be tampered with, not even in future. He said "EVMs cannot be tampered with, even in the future.I am very clear about this. During my time, BJP had raised doubts on EVM so we had also held a demonstration like earlier this earlier this year for all to come and try rig it." "#EVMs cannot be tampered with, even in the future. I am very clear about this. During my time, BJP had raised doubts on EVM so we had also held a demonstration like earlier this year for all to come and try rig it" says Naveen Chawla, former CEC pic.twitter.com/xXRpduibUK — ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2017 × N. Gopalaswami, former CEC also assured that EVMs cannot be tampered with. He said that EVM are standalone machines and that they are not connected to any network and therefore they cannot be influenced over Bluetooth or wireless messages. He further said that EVMs were only a glorified calculator and it goes dead after it is opened. "EVMs are stand alone machines, aren't connected to any network, can't be influenced over Bluetooth or wireless message,so to say EVMs have something wrong is absolutely incorrect. It's only a glorified calculator, moment you open it, it goes dead" says N Gopalaswami, Former CEC pic.twitter.com/jKWQiV5Gky — ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2017 × The clarifications over Electronic Voting Machines came after the accusations of opposition parties. The Congress and Patidars had accused during the elections that the EVM machines were tampered with. They claimed that the tampering was manipulated by BJP and would help the party to win over the other.

EVMs tampered in Surat, Rajkot, Ahmedabad, says Hardik Patel

<p>The Ahmedabad district collector has rejected as &quot;baseless&quot; Patidar leader Hardik Patel&#39;s allegations that an Ahmedabad company hired 140 engineers are hired to hack 5000 EVMs.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;These are baseless allegations. I don&#39;t think any clarification is needed. Even if any clarification is to be issued, it will be issued by EC,&quot; Avantika Singh, Ahmedabad district collector told ANI.</p>

<p>Hardik Patel had tweeted: An Ahmedabad company has hired 140 software engineers to hack the source code of 5000 EVM machines.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">???????? ?? ?? ????? ?? ?????? ??? ???????? ???????? ?? ????? ?? ???? EVM ???? ?? ????? ????? ?? ?????? ???? ?? ?????? ????</p>
&mdash; Hardik Patel (@HardikPatel_) <a href="https://twitter.com/HardikPatel_/status/942109589809623040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The&nbsp;Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) convener&nbsp;also alleged that there had been an attempt to tamper with EVMs in the Patel and tribal assembly constituencies. He added that if ATMs could be hacked, there was no reason why EVMs couldn&#39;t be.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">??????,????,???????,??????,????,???,??????,??????-??,??,??,????-?????,??????????,?????????,??????,???????,?????????,?????,????????,???? ?? ???? ???? ???? ?? ??????? ?????? ?? ???????? ??????? ??? EVM ????? ????? ?? ?????? ???? ?? ?????? ???? ????</p>
&mdash; Hardik Patel (@HardikPatel_) <a href="https://twitter.com/HardikPatel_/status/942285886800134145?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">???? ????? ?? ?????? ???? ???? ????? ????? ??? ???? ?????<br />
????? ?? ?????? ???? ?? ????? ???? ??? ???????? ?? ???? ?? ?? ???? ?? ?????? ???? ?? EVM ???? ??? ????? ???????? ???? ?? ???? !! ATM ??? ?? ???? ?? ?? EVM ????? ???? !!!</p>
&mdash; Hardik Patel (@HardikPatel_) <a href="https://twitter.com/HardikPatel_/status/942291713179217920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>On Saturday <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/gujarat-polls-hardik-patel-questions-scs-rejection-of-congress-plea-26920">Hardik Patel had questioned</a> the Supreme Court&#39;s decision to reject Congress&#39; plea seeking cross-verification of Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trails with votes cast with Electronic Voting Machines.</p>

<p>He also said if EVMs were not tampered with then the exit polls&#39; results, which showed Bharatiya Janata Party&#39;s victory in the state polls, would be proven wrong.</p>

<p>&quot;I think exit polls&#39; results will be proven wrong. If EVMs do not malfunction then BJP will lose the election. I have 100 percent doubt on EVMs,&quot; he had said.<br />
<br />
Hardik Patel along with Patidar leaders Alpesh Thakore and Jignesh Mewani have challenged the ruling BJP government in the state in the recently-concluded assembly elections.</p>

<p>The results of the elections will be declared tomorrow.</p>


The Ahmedabad district collector has rejected as 'baseless' Patidar leader Hardik Patel's allegations that an Ahmedabad company hired 140 engineers are hired to hack 5000 EVMs

The Ahmedabad district collector has rejected as "baseless" Patidar leader Hardik Patel's allegations that an Ahmedabad company hired 140 engineers are hired to hack 5000 EVMs. "These are baseless allegations. I don't think any clarification is needed. Even if any clarification is to be issued, it will be issued by EC," Avantika Singh, Ahmedabad district collector told ANI. Hardik Patel had tweeted: An Ahmedabad company has hired 140 software engineers to hack the source code of 5000 EVM machines. ???????? ?? ?? ????? ?? ?????? ??? ???????? ???????? ?? ????? ?? ???? EVM ???? ?? ????? ????? ?? ?????? ???? ?? ?????? ???? — Hardik Patel (@HardikPatel_) December 16, 2017 × The Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) convener also alleged that there had been an attempt to tamper with EVMs in the Patel and tribal assembly constituencies. He added that if ATMs could be hacked, there was no reason why EVMs couldn't be. ??????,????,???????,??????,????,???,??????,??????-??,??,??,????-?????,??????????,?????????,??????,???????,?????????,?????,????????,???? ?? ???? ???? ???? ?? ??????? ?????? ?? ???????? ??????? ??? EVM ????? ????? ?? ?????? ???? ?? ?????? ???? ???? — Hardik Patel (@HardikPatel_) December 17, 2017 × ???? ????? ?? ?????? ???? ???? ????? ????? ??? ???? ????? ????? ?? ?????? ???? ?? ????? ???? ??? ???????? ?? ???? ?? ?? ???? ?? ?????? ???? ?? EVM ???? ??? ????? ???????? ???? ?? ???? !! ATM ??? ?? ???? ?? ?? EVM ????? ???? !!! — Hardik Patel (@HardikPatel_) December 17, 2017 × On Saturday Hardik Patel had questioned the Supreme Court's decision to reject Congress' plea seeking cross-verification of Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trails with votes cast with Electronic Voting Machines. He also said if EVMs were not tampered with then the exit polls' results, which showed Bharatiya Janata Party's victory in the state polls, would be proven wrong. "I think exit polls' results will be proven wrong. If EVMs do not malfunction then BJP will lose the election. I have 100 percent doubt on EVMs," he had said. Hardik Patel along with Patidar leaders Alpesh Thakore and Jignesh Mewani have challenged the ruling BJP government in the state in the recently-concluded assembly elections. The results of the elections will be declared tomorrow.

Gujarat elections: Hardik Patel alleges EVM hacking, allegation rejected

<p>District officials in Buldhana, Maharashtra have admitted to a flaw in an electronic voting machine (EVM) used in recent zila parishad (district panchayat) elections.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The DNA newspaper reported on Sunday that votes given to an independent candidate were &quot;occasionally&quot; recorded by the EVM as having been given to the BJP candidate.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The newspaper added that RTI activist Anil Galgali had filed a query with the Buldhana district collectorate asking for information about the complaint filed by independent candidate Ashatai Arun Zore and details of the inquiry report submitted by the returning officer (RO).</p>

<p>The newspaper said a report signed by Ramnarayan Sawant, the official in charge of the polling centre, and election officer Manikrao Bazad stated that a complaint made by a voter at around 10 am was found to be without substance.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, a similar complaint was made again at 1.30 pm band was found to be correct.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This was brought to the notice of the assistant returning officer, who visited the centre and verified the complaint.</p>

<p>On February 16, when elections to the Buldhana zila parishad were held, Zore and her representatives had objected to the LED light flashing for the BJP candidate when votes were cast for Zore on an EVM unit in Sultanpur.&nbsp;</p>

<p>That meant that when votes were polled for Zore, they were instead tallied in favour of the BJP candidate.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A number of similar charges have been made by other parties in the recent past.&nbsp;</p>


A number of similar charges have been made by other parties in the recent past

District officials in Buldhana, Maharashtra have admitted to a flaw in an electronic voting machine (EVM) used in recent zila parishad (district panchayat) elections. The DNA newspaper reported on Sunday that votes given to an independent candidate were "occasionally" recorded by the EVM as having been given to the BJP candidate. The newspaper added that RTI activist Anil Galgali had filed a query with the Buldhana district collectorate asking for information about the complaint filed by independent candidate Ashatai Arun Zore and details of the inquiry report submitted by the returning officer (RO). The newspaper said a report signed by Ramnarayan Sawant, the official in charge of the polling centre, and election officer Manikrao Bazad stated that a complaint made by a voter at around 10 am was found to be without substance. However, a similar complaint was made again at 1.30 pm band was found to be correct. This was brought to the notice of the assistant returning officer, who visited the centre and verified the complaint. On February 16, when elections to the Buldhana zila parishad were held, Zore and her representatives had objected to the LED light flashing for the BJP candidate when votes were cast for Zore on an EVM unit in Sultanpur. That meant that when votes were polled for Zore, they were instead tallied in favour of the BJP candidate. A number of similar charges have been made by other parties in the recent past.

Faulty EVM voted 'occasionally' for BJP candidate in Buldhana, Maharashtra

<p>After holding a four-hour long &#39;hackathon&#39; to demonstrate that&nbsp;Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) cannot be rigged,&nbsp;the Election&nbsp;Commission of India, said on Saturday that the issue of tamperability of the machines&nbsp;stands closed.</p>

<p>In a post-event press conference, Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi maintained that the EVMs used by the EC are &quot;non-tamperable&quot; and with 100 per cent use of paper trail machines in all future elections the issue of tamperability of the machines &quot;stands closed&quot;.</p>

<p>The Chief Election Commissioner also ruled out going back to the paper ballot system, saying paper trail machines will usher in more transparency in future elections.</p>

<p>&quot;Once the EVMs are used with VVPATs (or paper trail machines) where a voter can see (cross check) the vote he has cast, it will usher in more transparency. Then there is no scope of going back to ballot (paper) system,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Zaidi said the EC has already announced that in all future elections to Lok Sabha and state assemblies, VVPAT machines would be attached to all EVMs.</p>

<p>The process would begin with Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat polls later this year.<br />
<br />
The AAP, which had said it would organise an EVM-hacking challenge in parallel with the one organised by the Election Commission today, said it will hold the exercise later.</p>

<p>The party has invited two government agencies which provide EVMs to the Election Commission - Bharat Electronics Limited and the Electronic Corporation of India Ltd - to participate in the challenge.</p>

<p>The AAP says it has not back-tracked from the challenge and has thrown open the floor to register for its hackathon.</p>

<p>The party will announce a &quot;bigger and better&quot; exercise than the one organised today by the poll body, spokesperson Saurabh Bhardwaj said.</p>

<p>The AAP had declined to participate in the EC exercise, saying the terms and conditions put by the poll body defeat the purpose of an EVM-hacking challenge.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As many as 13 political parties questioned the reliability of the EVMs, but&nbsp;only two parties had accepted the poll panel&#39;s&nbsp;dare but they too opted out of the event held today (June 3).</p>

<p>Zaidi made it clear that there would be no such challenge in future to test the reliability of the electronic voting machines (EVMs) used by the poll-conducting body.</p>

<p>He said although the NCP and the CPI(M) reported at the challenge venue they backed out.</p>

<p>The CPI-M said it would not like to participate in the challenge.</p>

<p>The&nbsp;NCP decided to opt out after the Election Commission said it was unable&nbsp;to provide it the details with the&nbsp;details it had sought.</p>

<p>The NCP said the source of all their doubts had been the alleged problems with EVMs during civic body polls&nbsp;in Maharashtra. The Commission clarified that EVMs used by State Election Commission, Maharashtra for urban local bodies elections did not belong to it.</p>

<p>The party had asked&nbsp;for&nbsp;the memory number and battery number of the EVM four days in advance, party MP Vandana Chavan, who led the NCP team said.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
The NCP said it did not want to participate in any challenge but was only interested in an academic exercise.</p>

<p>An NCP representative submitted a letter saying they would not&nbsp;participate in the challenge because of non-provision of the information.</p>

<p>In the letter the representative also objected to the&nbsp;&quot;last minute&quot; change in the EVM selection protocol by asking them to select an EVM out of the list of 14 EVMs brought for the challenge.</p>

<p>The NCP&nbsp;has been extended another chance to return at a later date to hack the machines as an &quot;academic exercise&quot;, the Chief Election Commissioner&nbsp;said.</p>

<p>The CPI(M) said it did not wish to participate in the challenge but only wanted a &quot;demonstration of the entire process&quot;.</p>

<p>&quot;A detailed demonstration of the entire process was given to them by our technical team...The CPI(M) team expressed complete satisfaction and suggested that to allay any such doubts the Commission should hold such demonstrations and awareness sessions with technical community proactively,&quot; Zaidi said in&nbsp;a statement.</p>

<p>The EC said since the machines were sealed, they could not&nbsp;be opened in the absence of party representatives, adding that the numbers could be accessed after opening the seals of the carry boxes at the time of the challenge.</p>

<p>The Election Commission had earlier refused to permit&nbsp;the&nbsp;Congress and the AAP from&nbsp;changing&nbsp;the motherboards and circuits&nbsp;of the Election Commission EVMs. The poll panel&nbsp;had said if this were to be&nbsp;allowed,&nbsp;the machines would not be the ECI-EVM but at best a &quot;look alike&quot;.</p>

<p>The Commission also did not allow parties like the BJP and the CPI to observe the challenge, saying the framework does not allow anyone to witness the event as an observer.</p>

<p>The BSP and the AAP had alleged that the machines used in the recent assembly elections were tampered with and favoured the BJP.</p>

<p>Over a dozen opposition parties, including the Congress, the BSP, the SP, the Left, the DMK, the JDU had urged the EC in April to revert to the paper ballot system in future elections, saying tampering allegations have created &quot;trust deficit&quot; on the reliability of the voting machines.<br />
<br />
(WION with inputs from PTI)</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


The Election Commission had thrown open a challenge to prove that the machines can be tampered with

After holding a four-hour long 'hackathon' to demonstrate that Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) cannot be rigged, the Election Commission of India, said on Saturday that the issue of tamperability of the machines stands closed. In a post-event press conference, Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi maintained that the EVMs used by the EC are "non-tamperable" and with 100 per cent use of paper trail machines in all future elections the issue of tamperability of the machines "stands closed". The Chief Election Commissioner also ruled out going back to the paper ballot system, saying paper trail machines will usher in more transparency in future elections. "Once the EVMs are used with VVPATs (or paper trail machines) where a voter can see (cross check) the vote he has cast, it will usher in more transparency. Then there is no scope of going back to ballot (paper) system," he said. Zaidi said the EC has already announced that in all future elections to Lok Sabha and state assemblies, VVPAT machines would be attached to all EVMs. The process would begin with Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat polls later this year. The AAP, which had said it would organise an EVM-hacking challenge in parallel with the one organised by the Election Commission today, said it will hold the exercise later. The party has invited two government agencies which provide EVMs to the Election Commission - Bharat Electronics Limited and the Electronic Corporation of India Ltd - to participate in the challenge. The AAP says it has not back-tracked from the challenge and has thrown open the floor to register for its hackathon. The party will announce a "bigger and better" exercise than the one organised today by the poll body, spokesperson Saurabh Bhardwaj said. The AAP had declined to participate in the EC exercise, saying the terms and conditions put by the poll body defeat the purpose of an EVM-hacking challenge. As many as 13 political parties questioned the reliability of the EVMs, but only two parties had accepted the poll panel's dare but they too opted out of the event held today (June 3). Zaidi made it clear that there would be no such challenge in future to test the reliability of the electronic voting machines (EVMs) used by the poll-conducting body. He said although the NCP and the CPI(M) reported at the challenge venue they backed out. The CPI-M said it would not like to participate in the challenge. The NCP decided to opt out after the Election Commission said it was unable to provide it the details with the details it had sought. The NCP said the source of all their doubts had been the alleged problems with EVMs during civic body polls in Maharashtra. The Commission clarified that EVMs used by State Election Commission, Maharashtra for urban local bodies elections did not belong to it. The party had asked for the memory number and battery number of the EVM four days in advance, party MP Vandana Chavan, who led the NCP team said. The NCP said it did not want to participate in any challenge but was only interested in an academic exercise. An NCP representative submitted a letter saying they would not participate in the challenge because of non-provision of the information. In the letter the representative also objected to the "last minute" change in the EVM selection protocol by asking them to select an EVM out of the list of 14 EVMs brought for the challenge. The NCP has been extended another chance to return at a later date to hack the machines as an "academic exercise", the Chief Election Commissioner said. The CPI(M) said it did not wish to participate in the challenge but only wanted a "demonstration of the entire process". "A detailed demonstration of the entire process was given to them by our technical team...The CPI(M) team expressed complete satisfaction and suggested that to allay any such doubts the Commission should hold such demonstrations and awareness sessions with technical community proactively," Zaidi said in a statement. The EC said since the machines were sealed, they could not be opened in the absence of party representatives, adding that the numbers could be accessed after opening the seals of the carry boxes at the time of the challenge. The Election Commission had earlier refused to permit the Congress and the AAP from changing the motherboards and circuits of the Election Commission EVMs. The poll panel had said if this were to be allowed, the machines would not be the ECI-EVM but at best a "look alike". The Commission also did not allow parties like the BJP and the CPI to observe the challenge, saying the framework does not allow anyone to witness the event as an observer. The BSP and the AAP had alleged that the machines used in the recent assembly elections were tampered with and favoured the BJP. Over a dozen opposition parties, including the Congress, the BSP, the SP, the Left, the DMK, the JDU had urged the EC in April to revert to the paper ballot system in future elections, saying tampering allegations have created "trust deficit" on the reliability of the voting machines. (WION with inputs from PTI)

Issue of EVM tampering stands closed, says India's election panel after hackathon

<p>The Election Commission of India ( ECI) on Friday said it would offer an &#39;opportunity&#39; to the political parties to prove that Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) used in the recently held assembly polls were tampered with or can be tampered even with the safeguards laid down.</p>

<p>&quot;The Election Commission will hold a challenge and offer an opportunity to the political parties to demonstrate that EVMs used in the recently concluded elections were tampered or can be tampered even with laid down safeguards,&quot; Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi said after the all-party meet.</p>

<p>He further announced that all the future elections will be held under the VVPAT (voter verifiable paper audit trail system).</p>

<p>Zaidi also said the poll panel has &quot;no favourites&quot; and it was equidistant from all parties.</p>

<p>&quot;You should be convinced that EC has no favourites...we maintain equidistance from all parties and groups. It is our constitutional and moral duty to stand dead centre of the circle drawn around us by 56 political parties,&quot; he added.</p>

<p>The Election Commission earlier in the day convened an all-party meeting over the issue of EVM and other electoral reforms.</p>

<p>In its communication to the presidents of all the seven national and 48 state political parties, the poll panel sent a status paper on EVMs and VVPAT.</p>

<p>Last month, sixteen opposition parties had urged the Election Commission to revert to the paper ballot system saying that the alleged tampering has created trust deficit in the credibility of the EVMs.</p>

<p>However, the poll body has been maintaining that EVMs are tamper proof and cannot be manipulated.</p>

<p>The Union Cabinet had given its nod to sanctioned funds of nearly Rs. 3,200 crore to procure more than 16 lakh VVPATs as sought by the Election Commission.</p>

<p>Besides EVMs, the meeting is expected to deliberate on making bribery in elections a cognisable offence, disqualification on framing of charges for the offences of bribery in elections and suggestions in VVPAT recount Rules.</p>

<p>On Tuesday, the AAP, during a special session of the Delhi assembly, conducted a live demonstration on how EVMs can be tampered with.</p>

<p>Reacting to the demonstration, the poll panel said the machine used to conduct live demonstration was a &#39;look-alike&#39;&#39; which was made to function in a &#39;tampered&#39; manner.</p>

<p>A day before the all-party meeting, the AAP yesterday forwarded a new demand, calling for an all party committee to be formed under the monitoring of the Election Commission to ascertain whether EVMS were hacked in the recently held elections or not.<br />
<br />
(ANI)</p>

<p><br />
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The poll body said it would offer an 'opportunity' to political parties to prove EVMs used in recently-held assembly polls were tampered with

The Election Commission of India ( ECI) on Friday said it would offer an 'opportunity' to the political parties to prove that Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) used in the recently held assembly polls were tampered with or can be tampered even with the safeguards laid down. "The Election Commission will hold a challenge and offer an opportunity to the political parties to demonstrate that EVMs used in the recently concluded elections were tampered or can be tampered even with laid down safeguards," Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi said after the all-party meet. He further announced that all the future elections will be held under the VVPAT (voter verifiable paper audit trail system). Zaidi also said the poll panel has "no favourites" and it was equidistant from all parties. "You should be convinced that EC has no favourites...we maintain equidistance from all parties and groups. It is our constitutional and moral duty to stand dead centre of the circle drawn around us by 56 political parties," he added. The Election Commission earlier in the day convened an all-party meeting over the issue of EVM and other electoral reforms. In its communication to the presidents of all the seven national and 48 state political parties, the poll panel sent a status paper on EVMs and VVPAT. Last month, sixteen opposition parties had urged the Election Commission to revert to the paper ballot system saying that the alleged tampering has created trust deficit in the credibility of the EVMs. However, the poll body has been maintaining that EVMs are tamper proof and cannot be manipulated. The Union Cabinet had given its nod to sanctioned funds of nearly Rs. 3,200 crore to procure more than 16 lakh VVPATs as sought by the Election Commission. Besides EVMs, the meeting is expected to deliberate on making bribery in elections a cognisable offence, disqualification on framing of charges for the offences of bribery in elections and suggestions in VVPAT recount Rules. On Tuesday, the AAP, during a special session of the Delhi assembly, conducted a live demonstration on how EVMs can be tampered with. Reacting to the demonstration, the poll panel said the machine used to conduct live demonstration was a 'look-alike'' which was made to function in a 'tampered' manner. A day before the all-party meeting, the AAP yesterday forwarded a new demand, calling for an all party committee to be formed under the monitoring of the Election Commission to ascertain whether EVMS were hacked in the recently held elections or not. (ANI)

VVPATs to be used in all future elections: India's Election Commission

<p>The Aam Aadmi Party has (again) said the BJP win in the Delhi municipal elections was brought about by &quot;EVM tampering&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Speaking to the media, with the BJP set to sweep the polls, Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia said &quot;this difference is unbelievable&quot;.</p>

<p>He added, &quot;Without EVM tampering it is not possible.&quot;</p>

<p>AAP leader Gopal Rai said the machines were &quot;bugged and programmed&quot;.</p>

<p>He added, &quot;This is not a Modi lehar (wave), this is an EVM wave. This is the same wave that they (BJP) used in the Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Punjab polls.&quot;</p>

<p>AAP and a few other political parties had made similar claims -- that the EVM machines had been tampered with -- after the recent assembly elections.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The BJP formed governments in four of those five states.&nbsp;</p>

<p>(WION)</p>


The Aam Aadmi Party has (again) said the BJP win in the Delhi municipal elections was brought about by "EVM tampering". Speaking to the media, with the BJP set to sweep the polls, Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia said "this difference is unbelievable". He added, "Without EVM tampering it is not possible." AAP leader Gopal Rai said the machines were "bugged and programmed". He added, "This is not a Modi lehar (wave), this is an EVM wave. This is the same wave that they (BJP) used in the Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Punjab polls." AAP and a few other political parties had made similar claims -- that the EVM machines had been tampered with -- after the recent assembly elections. The BJP formed governments in four of those five states. (WION)

AAP blames BJP's Delhi municipal election win on 'EVM tampering'

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