Computer scientist Professor Rajat Moona’s involvement in India’s electronic voting systems and other sectors has sparked debates over transparency and conflicts of interest. Moona’s roles, coupled with recent controversies, cast shadows over the integrity of the country’s electoral process.
Moona, hailed as the “dada of computer architecture” by peers, has an impressive resume boasting institutions like the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and the Indian Institute of Science. However, his extensive engagement in key positions within the Technical Expert Committee (TEC), tasked with evaluating the reliability of electronic voting machines (EVMs), has come under scrutiny.
As an architect of India’s electronic voting systems, Moona’s contributions, particularly in designing the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines, are noteworthy. Yet, his inclusion as an inventor in patent filings related to VVPAT machines, alongside other TEC members, raises concerns about conflicts of interest.
Moona getting multiple influential directorship and advisory positions, including roles in institutions like the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar and the National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL), adds layers to the controversy. Critics argue that such extensive involvement blurs the lines between impartial oversight and vested interests.
Jagdeep Chhokar, a founder of the Association for Democratic Reforms, which is a petitioner in an ongoing Supreme Court case on EVMs, pointed out that “there is no dearth of independent evaluators who are technically qualified.” He told The News Minute, “This sort of in-breeding that ‘I design’ and ‘I give certificate’ is obviously not done.”
There are no official filings on the monetary and non-monetary privileges that Moona enjoys as a result of these appointments yet, the news platform reported.
“It is not against the law but it is a more delicate kind of situation, therefore one would expect higher standards of probity here,” Chhokar said, referring to Moona’s directorships. “If the technical experts who guide the election commission on such critical issues as technology are involved with the government, then there is a shadow on the independence of the ECI,” Chhokar said.
Former Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa did not think that such external positions affected the tasks of the TEC members. “There is nothing that prevents them from doing their normal academic work, or any other work, which is associated with their expertise,” he said, “It is Rajat Moona’s job to defend and explain the credibility of the EVMs and VVPATs…I don’t see how the responsibilities that he is discharging are in conflict with his other responsibilities,” Lavasa said.
Through his personal account on Twitter (now known as X) — Moona often “liked” posts from the accounts of BJP leaders — such as Prakash Javadekar, Ravi Shankar Prasad — and the PM’s office. Often, these posts were about the PM Modi.
Transparency issues further compound the situation, with questions surrounding the opacity of TEC proceedings, inconsistencies in patent filings, and declining public trust in electronic voting systems. A recent pre-poll survey revealed a stark decline in voter trust in the Election Commission, fueling calls for greater transparency and accountability.
In response to mounting concerns, stakeholders demand a thorough examination of Moona’s roles. As controversies swirl and questions persist, the future of India’s electronic voting systems hangs in the balance.