Advertised as an EVM hackathon, the much publicised press conference in London by a “cyber expert” saw the peddling of wild conspiracy theories and not an iota of evidence to back those claims. The presence of senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal, who also pushed the ill-conceived impeachment motion against former Chief Justice Dipak Misra, compounded the farce.
The Election Commission has stoutly defended the integrity of EVMs. The accuser Shah Shuja’s claims that the 2014 mandate was stolen flies in the face of reason. That result was made possible by the dysfunction in the Congress-led UPA and the arrival of a charismatic leader in Narendra Modi promising a break with the past. Rather than fall for such stunts the opposition would be better off improving its ground game to match BJP in booth level campaigning. Sibal’s presence at the presser and Congress’s defensiveness is even more surprising given its recent electoral victories.
The fears of EVM tampering are yet to lead to even one case of proven misdemeanour. Certainly, the failure of EVM and VVPAT machines during elections, which delays polling in the affected booths and turns voters away, is a cause for concern. But given that lakhs of these machines are used no one can guarantee that the electronic and mechanical parts in a few will not malfunction. EC must strive to minimise these failure rates and restore polling without inordinate delays besides keeping a strict account of EVM boxes in its custody.
A return to paper ballots will be chaotic and the potential for ballot stuffing remains high in some parts of the country. Those questioning EVMs today will doubt paper ballots also tomorrow. By questioning the sanctity of electoral processes, India’s squabbling politicians are hurting national interest and putting democracy itself in danger.
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