Tulsi Gabbard's 'vulnerability' concerns: EC assures EVM is foolproof

New Delhi: The Election Commission of India asserted Friday that the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) used in India are “simple, correct and accurate calculators” and are not susceptible to hacking. The country’s polls-controlling body made the statement after concerns raised by US Director of Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard over the “vulnerability” of electronic voting systems (EVS) in the United States to “hacking”.

In a cabinet being convened by US President Donald Trump on April 10, Gabbard claimed that the Intelligence Department has “evidence” that EVS are susceptible to the exploitation to manipulate the results” of votes cast. She called for paper ballot-based elections.

However, the Hindustan Times reported that Gabbard has been commenting on machines used in the US and not on EVMs used in India.

Meanwhile, Election Commission sources on Friday rejected suggestions that electronic voting machines (EVMs) used in the country are vulnerable to hacking, asserting that the machines work like simple calculators which are not connected to the internet or infrared, PTI reported.

Referring to the reported remarks of United States Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard that her office has obtained evidence of vulnerabilities to the hacking of electronic voting systems for manipulating votes, the sources pointed out that some countries use "electronic voting systems" which are a mix of multiple systems, machines and processes including various private networks including the internet.

They underlined that India uses electronic voting machines that work like "simple, correct and accurate calculators" and cannot be connected to either the internet, WiFi or infrared.