Standalone Device, No Need For OTP: Election Commission On Mumbai EVM Controversy
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has responded to reports regarding an aide of a candidate having access to a “phone that unlocks EVMs.” While the ECI admitted that the mobile phone of an authorised person was used without permission, leading to a criminal case being registered, they clarified that EVMs are standalone devices and do not require OTPs to unlock.
Vandana Suryavanshi, Returning Officer for the Mumbai North West Parliamentary Constituency, provided further details:
1. The incident at the Mumbai North West Constituency Counting Centre involved the unauthorized use of a mobile phone belonging to an authorized person by a candidate’s aide. A criminal case has been filed by the Returning Officer.
2. Suryavanshi emphasized that there is no OTP (One Time Password) for unlocking EVMs as they are non-programmable and have no wireless communication capabilities. She described the claim as a lie spread by a newspaper to create a false narrative.
3. EVMs are standalone devices without any wired or wireless connectivity to external units. They are equipped with advanced technical features and robust administrative safeguards to prevent manipulation. These safeguards include conducting all procedures in the presence of candidates or their agents.
4. The counting of Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS) votes happens in physical form (paper ballots) and not electronically, countering false narratives.
5. Every counting sheet at each table for ETPBS, EVM counting, and postal ballot counting (including ETPBS) is signed by all counting agents after thorough verification.
6. The Returning Officer is taking action against Mid Day newspaper for spreading rumors that malign Indian voters and the electoral system.
Earlier, Mid Day had reported that the Vanrai police discovered Mangesh Pandilkar, a relative of winning candidate Ravindra Waikar, using a mobile phone connected to the EVMs to generate OTPs and unlock the machines at the NESCO Centre on June 4. Waikar narrowly won the election by a margin of 48 votes, defeating Amol Gajanan Kirtikar. Mid Day also reported that police issued CRPC 41A notices to Pandilkar and Dinesh Gurav, the EC’s ENCORE operator, and sent the phone for forensic analysis.
Senior Inspector Rampiyare Rajbhar confirmed the investigation’s focus on the phone’s call records and other potential uses. The police are scrutinizing CCTV footage from the NESCO Centre to trace the phone’s entry and identify additional suspects. The FIR was registered on June 14 by an Election Commission officer following complaints from rival candidates.
