EVMs can't be unlocked via Mobile OTP; are fully safe, assures election official

The controversy escalated when reports claimed that an aide of Ravindra Waikar, associated with Shiv Sena's Shinde group and winner of Mumbai North West seat by a slim 48-vote margin, allegedly used a mobile phone to unlock an EVM during counting.

In a startling revelation from the Mumbai North West constituency Counting Centre, a criminal case has been filed following allegations of unauthorised mobile phone usage by a candidate aide. The incident, reported by the District Election Officer for Mumbai Suburban District, Vandana Suryavanshi, has stirred controversy.

The controversy escalated when reports claimed that an aide of Ravindra Waikar, associated with Shiv Sena's Shinde group and winner of Mumbai North West seat by a slim 48-vote margin, allegedly used a mobile phone to unlock an EVM during counting. This incident has reignited debates over the reliability of EVMs, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi labeling them as "Black Boxes".

Mumbai RO denies EVM OTP claims, calls hacking allegations baseless

Vandana Suryavanshi, Returning Officer, Mumbai North West parliamentary constituency, refuted claims that Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) use one-time passwords (OTP) for unlocking. She clarified that EVMs are non-programmable devices devoid of wireless communication capabilities, dismissing allegations as baseless and intended to mislead.

"The EVM is a standalone system and there is no need for an OTP to unlock it. It is not programmable and has no wireless communication capabilities. It is a complete lie being spread by a newspaper. We have issued notice to Mid-day newspaper under sections 499, 505 of the Indian Penal Code for defamation and spreading false news," Suryavanshi said in a press conference on June 16.

She further noted, "Data entry and vote counting are two different aspects. An OTP enables the ARO to open the encore login system for data entry. The counting process is independent and has nothing to do with unauthorised use of mobile phone, which is an unfortunate incident and is being probed".

"Advance technical features and robust administrative safeguards are in place to rule out any possibility of manipulation. Safeguards include conducting everything in the presence of candidates or their agents," she noted.

Key points highlighted by the District Election Officer:

1) The incident at Mumbai North West Constituency Counting Centre is about unauthorisedly using the mobile phone of an authorised person by a candidate's aide. A criminal case has already been filed by the Returning Officer.

(2) There is no OTP (One Time Password) on mobile for unlocking EVM as it is non-programmable and it has no wireless communication capabilities. It is a complete lie being spread by a newspaper, which is being used by some leaders to create a false narrative.

(3) EVMs are stand-alone devices without any wired or wireless connectivity with units outside the EVM system. Advanced technical features and robust administrative safeguards are in place to rule out any possibility of manipulation. Safeguards include conducting everything in the presence of candidates or their agents.

(4) Counting of ETPBS happens in physical form (paper ballots) and not electronics as being spread through false narratives.

(5) Every counting sheet at every table for ETPBS and EVM counting and postal ballot counting (including ETPBS) is signed by all counting agents after due diligence.

In a decisive move, the Returning Officer announced legal action against a newspaper for allegedly spreading rumours that undermined public trust in Indian voters and the electoral system.

Shiv Sena leader's kin booked for carrying phone inside counting centre

An FIR has been filed against Mangesh Pandilkar, a relative of Shiv Sena leader Ravindra Waikar, for allegedly carrying a mobile phone inside a counting center in Goregaon, Maharashtra. The case has been registered at Vanrai Police Station. Additionally, an FIR has been lodged against Dinesh Gurav, an Encore operator with the Election Commission. Mumbai's Vanrai Police has issued notices to Mangesh Pandilkar and Dinesh Gurav under section 41A of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). The mobile phones have been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for data recovery, and fingerprints on the phones are also being analysed, according to the police.

"We are also investigating the CCTV cameras of the Nesco Center, which may help us to find out how the mobile phone reached inside the centre and also investigating whether there are more accused involved in this case or trying to find out who supplied this mobile phone," Vanrai Police said.

With agency inputs