Latest news with #EVM
Hindustan Times
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
EC publishes draft electoral rolls for Bihar after SIR amid protest by Oppn
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday announced that it has released the draft voters' roll for Bihar after the completion of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. The draft electoral rolls of Bihar are being published on Friday, August 1, at (File)(@ECISVEEP) The poll agency said that the exercise have covered all 243 assembly constituencies and 90,817 polling stations and was shared with political parties. However, the opposition parties have protested against the exercise and have been demanding a discussion in the Parliament over the issue. The SIR exercise comes ahead of the state assembly elections, scheduled to be held around October–November this year. 'Draft Electoral Rolls for Bihar, covering each of the 243 assembly constituencies and 90,817 polling stations, are being shared with all political parties by the 38 District Collectors at 11 AM today, i.e 1 August 2025,' ANI quoted the Election Commission as saying. The ECI also said that the draft electoral rolls will be published on the website at 3 pm on Friday. Opposition parties, including the Congress, Samajwadi Party and others, led by Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav, have been protesting since the beginning of the winter session, demanding a discussion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar's electoral rolls being conducted by the Election Commission. Earlier, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said in a message to voters, 'The draft electoral rolls of Bihar are being published on Friday, August 1, at He added, 'Physical as well as digital copies will also be given to all recognised political parties in Bihar in all 38 Districts by all the 38 District Election Officers (DEOs) of Bihar.' INDIA bloc MPs protest in Parliament premises On Friday, protesting MPs, including Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, displayed a banner reading "the SIR: war on democracy". A day earlier, the INDIA bloc parties unanimously resolved to intensify their protests against the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar's electoral rolls, both within and outside Parliament. The protest coincided with the Election Commission's scheduled release of the draft electoral rolls on Friday. Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi also stood in solidarity with INDIA bloc MPs, joining their protest at Makar Dwar outside Parliament. She held a banner that read "SIR-attack on Democracy" and stood beside her daughter, Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi. A cartoon shared online depicted a man labelled 'EC' in uniform and shackled, holding what looked like an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM), with a speech bubble saying 'YES SIR.' The tweet was tagged with the hashtag #SIR, hinting at the opposition's allegation that the Election Commission is operating under the influence of the central government, particularly in the context of developments in Bihar. EC claims Bihar had 7.93 crore voters before SIR drive began The publication of the draft electoral rolls also marks the beginning of the 'claims and objections' phase, which will run until September 1. During this period, voters who believe their names were wrongly deleted can approach the relevant authorities for redressal. According to the Election Commission, there were 7.93 crore registered voters in Bihar before the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process began late last month. However, the revision has sparked criticism and protests from the Opposition, who have raised concerns over possible large-scale deletions of voters. In the initial stage of the SIR, voters were issued 'enumeration forms' by booth-level officers (BLOs) or booth-level agents (BLAs) appointed by political parties. These forms were to be signed and returned along with valid identity documents. Voters also had the option of downloading and submitting the forms online.
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Maharashtra polls: EVMs verified as tamper-proof after extensive testing in 10 constituencies
PUNE: Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) used during the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections are tamper proof after the Checking and Verification of EVMs were completed across 10 Assembly constituencies confirmed that the machines are tamper-proof, with no mismatches found between the electronic vote count and the VVPAT slip tally, stated election officials in a statement issued. The exercise was carried out by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Maharashtra following instructions issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI) on June 17, 2025. It was initiated based on applications from 10 candidates, of whom eight were present during the verification process. Two did not attend despite having requested the test. A total of 48 Ballot Units (BUs), 31 Control Units (CUs), and 31 VVPATs were examined in the presence of the candidates or their representatives. The testing included both diagnostic checks and mock polls, depending on the nature of the request and the constituency. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune In four constituencies — Kopri-Pachpakhadi, Thane, Khadakwasla, and Majalgaon — diagnostic tests were specifically conducted to verify critical hardware components such as burnt memory and microcontrollers. These tests were carried out by authorised engineers from the EVM manufacturer, Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL), who certified all the machines as fully functional and fault-free, stated officials In the remaining six constituencies — Panel, Alibag, Arni, Yevla, Chandgad, and Kolhapur North — both diagnostic tests and mock polls were conducted. Here, after the diagnostic phase confirmed no faults, mock polls were held to simulate the voting process. The results from the Control Units were then cross-verified with the paper slips from the VVPATs. Not a single mismatch was recorded. The Majalgaon Assembly segment, which had the highest number of units verified with 18 Ballot Units, underwent both diagnostic and mock poll testing over a two-day period from July 28-29, 2025. Across all locations, the tests were carried out under strict observation by ECIL engineers, election officials, and candidate representatives, ensuring complete transparency. "This exercise proves, yet again, that the EVMs are tamper proof," the Election Commission stated in its official report. The verification reinforces public confidence in the integrity and reliability of EVMs at a time when electronic voting systems face scrutiny. Conducted between July 19 and July 29, 2025, the verification process covered seven districts. The comprehensive testing involved diagnostic verification of burnt memory/microcontroller systems in some constituencies, while others underwent additional mock polls where actual voting was simulated and results cross-checked with VVPAT paper trails. All 48 Ballot Units, 31 Control Units and 31 VVPATs passed every test conducted by authorized ECIL engineers. • Thane: Kopri-Pachpakhadi AC (1 BU, 1 CU, 1 VVPAT) and Thane AC (1 BU, 1 CU, 1 VVPAT) tested on July 19 • Raigad: Panel AC (5 BUs, 5 CUs, 5 VVPATs) and Alibag AC (4 BUs, 4 CUs, 4 VVPATs) tested from July 21-23 • Pune: Khadakwasla AC (2 BUs, 2 CUs, 2 VVPATs) tested on July 25 • Yavatmal: Arni AC (1 BU, 1 CU, 1 VVPAT) tested on July 19 • Nashik: Yevla AC (1 BU, 1 CU, 1 VVPAT) tested on July 21 • Kolhapur: Chandgad AC (10 BUs, 5 CUs, 5 VVPATs) tested from July 23-26 and Kolhapur North AC (5 BUs, 5 CUs, 5 VVPATs) • Beed: Majalgaon AC (18 BUs, 6 CUs, 6 VVPATs) tested from July 28-29
Time of India
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Maha polls: Tests prove EVMs are tamper-proof
NEW DELHI: All electronic voting machines (EVMs) and voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) units used in 2024 Maharashtra assembly elections, in respect of which the losing candidates had sought checking and verification (C&V) of burnt memory or micro-controller, have passed the requisite diagnostic tests and no mismatch being found between the EVM count and VVPAT slips. Sharing this update, Election Commission on Thursday said the outcome of the C&V exercise carried out across 10 assembly constituencies (ACs) prove "yet again, that the EVMs are tamper proof". EC on Thursday said that eight applications were received by the Maharashtra chief electoral officer seeking verification of burnt memory or microchip of EVM/VVPAT across the ACs Kopri-Pachpakhadi, Thane, Panel, Alibag, Khadakwasla, Arni, Yevla, Chandgad, Kolhapur North and Majalgaon. "In the presence of 8 applicants and other candidates who had contested, or their representatives, C&V was successfully conducted on 48 EVM ballot units, 31 EVM control units and 31 VVPATs. Two applicant candidates chose not to attend," said an EC spokesperson. Diagnostic test for verifying burnt memory was conducted in Kopri-Pachpakhadi, Thane, Khadakwasla and Majalgaon ACs in three sets of EVMs, as per request of the applicant candidates. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play this game for 1 minute and see why everyone is crazy about it Undo After the diagnostic test, the authorised engineers from the manufacturer (ECIL) certified that all machines had passed the diagnostic tests. Diagnostic test along with mock poll was conducted in Panel, Alibag, Arni, Yevla, Chandgad, Kolhapur North and the remaining three sets of EVMs of Majalgaon AC. After the authorised engineers certified that all the machines had passed the diagnostic test, a mock election was conducted on them. The EVM result was verified with VVPAT slips count and no mismatch was found, said EC. After tasting defeat in the Maharashtra assembly poll last year, Congress has repeatedly alleged that the arbitrary additions and deletions in the state's electoral roll and the inexplicable increase in voter turnout after 5 pm, had swung the result in favour of BJP.
Time of India
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
No category called 'suspicious voters' in RP Act, can't manipulate EVMs: Law minister
. NEW DELHI: There is no category of voters called "suspicious voters" under the Representation of the People (RP) Act, law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said on Thursday in response to a question in Rajya Sabha. Samajwadi Party MP Ramji Lal Suman raised the question whether in the last Lok Sabha elections suspicious voters had also cast their votes. He said there is a lot of speculation about suspicious voters, and alleged that the results can be manipulated on electronic voting machines (EVMs). He asked the minister if the votes were being cast correctly. " Election Commission has informed that there is no category of suspicious voters as per the RP Act," the minister said, and added that EC further informed that "the election results cannot be manipulated on EVMs". Meghwal said there is no doubt in the fairness and integrity of EVMs which, he said, have stood the test of several elections, public and legal scrutiny over the years. "EC has further informed that in at least 42 petitions against use of EVMs which have been filed before various high courts and Supreme Court, and after going through various aspects of the technological soundness and the administrative safeguards involved in the use of EVMs, the courts have repeatedly held that EVMs are tamper proof, credible and reliable," the minister added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Most Beautiful Women In The World Undo He said EC has mentioned that to dispel any apprehension of any kind, EVM-related documents, such as manual on EVM and VVPAT, presentation on EVM, status paper on EVM, legal history of EVMs and VVPATs and FAQs are available in public domain on EC website that anyone can check.
NDTV
20 hours ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Maharashtra EVMs Tamper-Proof: Poll Panel Reaffirms After Verification
New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has reaffirmed the credibility of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), declaring them tamper-proof after a comprehensive checking and verification (C&V) exercise conducted in Maharashtra. The process was initiated following applications from 10 candidates who had contested the 2024 Maharashtra Legislative Assembly elections. According to the ECI press note issued on Thursday, the Chief Electoral Officer of Maharashtra carried out the C&V procedure across 10 Assembly constituencies. The exercise involved 48 Ballot Units (BUs), 31 Control Units (CUs), and 31 Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs). The verification confirmed that all machines were in proper working condition and no mismatches were found between the EVM results and VVPAT slips. "This exercise proves, yet again, that the EVMs are tamper-proof," the poll panel highlighted. The tests were conducted in the presence of eight of the 10 candidates, including eight applicants who were losing candidates and who had applied for the C&V along with other candidates who had contested or their representatives. Diagnostic tests for verifying the burnt memory and microcontroller were carried out in constituencies including 147-Kopri-Pachpakhadi, 148-Thane, 211-Khadakwasala, and 229-Majalgaon. Authorised engineers from ECIL, the manufacturer of the machines, certified that all devices passed the tests successfully. In constituencies like 188-Panel, 192-Panel (Raigad district), 80-Arni (Yavatmal district), 119-Yevla (Nashik district), 271-Chandgad, and 276-Kolhapur North (both in Kolhapur district), diagnostic tests were followed by mock polls. The results from the control units matched perfectly with the VVPAT slip counts, once again confirming the system's reliability. "After the diagnostic test, the authorised engineers from the manufacturer (ECIL) certified that all machines passed the diagnostic tests," the poll panel said. "Thereafter, a mock poll was conducted on the machines as per the request received from the candidates. The results of the EVM (from Control Unit) were verified with the VVPAT slips count, and no mismatch was found," it added.
