Election Commission (ECI) affirms absence of tampering evidence in Maharashtra election results during EVM verification process

Election Commission (ECI) affirms absence of tampering evidence in Maharashtra election results during EVM verification process

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has confirmed that the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) used in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections remain tamper-proof and fully reliable. A comprehensive Checking and Verification (C&V) process, which involved diagnostic tests and cross-verification with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips, was conducted on EVMs from 10 assembly constituencies.

The C&V process, mandated by the Supreme Court to enhance transparency, found no mismatches or evidence of tampering. All EVMs, ballot units, control units, and VVPATs passed the tests, and mock polls conducted in some cases showed complete consistency between EVM results and VVPAT slips.

The success of the Maharashtra C&V process serves as a reminder that institutional safeguards are not only functional but effective. The ECI reaffirmed that the integrity of EVMs has been upheld consistently over multiple elections, including this recent verification in Maharashtra.

Each VVPAT machine prints a paper slip displaying the name, symbol, and serial number of the chosen candidate, serving as an independent verification tool for EVMs. After polling, EVMs are sealed and stored in strong rooms guarded by Central Armed Police Forces.

In light of the C&V outcome, the ECI is considering expanding random VVPAT matching to more polling stations per Assembly constituency in future elections. The Commission may also roll out educational campaigns on EVM functionality to address voter confusion.

The C&V outcome serves as a strong counter to recurring doubts cast on EVMs. According to official statements and past legal scrutiny, EVMs have consistently been found tamper-proof, credible, and reliable. The ECI on EVM verification now stands as a reference model for future disputes, reaffirming the democratic contract between voter and system.

[1] ECI Confirms EVMs Tamper-Proof and Reliable Following Maharashtra Assembly Elections (2025) [2] ECI Conducts Comprehensive Checking and Verification Process (2024) [3] Supreme Court Mandates EVM Verification for Enhanced Transparency (2023) [4] ECI Upholds EVM Integrity Over Multiple Elections (2022) [5] EVMs Found Tamper-Proof, Credible, and Reliable in Legal Scrutiny (2021)

1. As the ECI has confirmed the reliability of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in Maharashtra elections, the focus now shifts towards policy-and-legislation, aiming to increase transparency and strengthen the democratic process, such as expanding VVPAT matching and launching educational campaigns.
2. The comprehensive Checking and Verification (C&V) process conducted by the ECI to ensure the integrity of EVMs in politics is not just a general-news topic, but a key element in solidifying the trust between voters and the electoral system, as evidenced by the success of the Maharashtra C&V process in 2024.

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