In a strongly worded statement on EVM hackathon event, ECI reiterates machines are foolproof, adds it mulls legal action

In a statement issued on Monday, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has said that it firmly stands by the foolproof nature of the EVMs.

The statement comes amidst an event in London where it was demonstrated that EVM's used during Indian elections can be hacked. Cyber experts from the United States were displaying a live hacking of EVMs, taking the audience through the process of hacking.  

The ECI standing firmly on the foolproof nature of the EVMs has also said that it is mulling legal action on the matter. It added that the EVMs are made in India under strict supervision.

Here is ECI's statement:

It has come to the notice of Election Commission of India that an event claiming to demonstrate EVMs used by ECI can be tampered with, has been organised in London. 
Whereas, ECI has been wary of becoming a party to this motivated slugfest, ECI firmly stands by the empirical facts about foolproof nature of ECI EVMs deployed in elections in India. 
It needs to be reiterated that these EVMs are manufactured in Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) under very strict supervisory and security conditions and there are rigorous Standard Operating Procedures meticulously observed at all stages under the supervision of a Committee of eminent technical experts constituted way back in 2010.

It is being separately examined as to what legal action can and should be taken in the matter.

The event was organised by the Indian Journalists' Association (Europe) comes with less than three months to Lok Sabha elections 2019. 

Congress leader Kapil Sibal was in attendance of the event. The event comes in the wake of opposition setting up a committee by alleging that BJP has been manipulating EVMs. Congress president Rahul Gandhi interacted with the Indian Journalists' Association in August during his visit to London back in 2018.

READ | Days After Opposition's 'ban EVM' Cry, Group Patronised By Rahul Gandhi Holds EVM Hackathon; Fearmongers From London In Presence Of Kapil Sibal

Even as the EVM hackathon was going on in London, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee who held a united opposition rally on January 19 in Kolkata, has said that all parties present in the event have decided to take up the matter of EVMs with Election Commission.

Several opposition groups including Congress, AAP have constantly claimed that EVMs are hacked or were being tampered with. Congress leader and MP CM Kamal Nath, during the Madhya Pradesh polls, had alleged that EVMs were not secured during the state assembly polls.

Mamata Banerjee tweeted on the EVM issue saying:

"Our great democracy must be protected. Every vote of yours is precious. All Opposition parties discussed the EVM issue after the United India Brigade rally. We are working closely together and decided on Jan 19 itself to consistently take up the matter with EC. Yes, every vote counts."

READ | "Every Vote Is Precious": As Anti-EVM Event Goes On In London, Mamata Banerjee Reiterates Opposition Stance Against Voting Machine