Mumbai North West EVM Controversy: Election Official Dismisses Tampering Allegations

In the aftermath of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, controversy continues to swirl around the Mumbai North West constituency, where allegations of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) tampering have surfaced. The returning officer, Vandana Suryavanshi, responded to these claims on Sunday, June 16, vehemently denying any malpractice.

The allegations stem from a report in the Mid-Day newspaper, implicating a relative of Shiv Sena candidate Ravindra Waikar, who won the seat by a narrow margin of 48 votes. According to the report, the relative was purportedly seen using a mobile phone near an EVM during the vote counting process on June 4. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other opposition figures seized upon this report, accusing the relative of manipulating the election results.

In defense against these allegations, Suryavanshi clarified that EVMs are standalone devices that do not require mobile OTPs or external connections for operation, emphasizing their non-programmable nature. She labeled the accusations as “false news” and informed that a defamation notice had been issued to the Mid-Day publication for disseminating misleading information.

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called upon the Election Commission of India to take legal action against those involved in spreading what they termed as false information regarding the integrity of the electoral process.

The controversy underscores the heightened scrutiny and tension surrounding electoral processes, particularly concerning the use and security of EVMs in Indian elections. As the situation develops, stakeholders await further clarification and resolution from electoral authorities to address these allegations and uphold public confidence in the electoral process.

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