'EVMs cannot be unlocked using mobile OTP'; District Election Officer clarifies the picture amid controversy
EVM Row: Amidst the latest controversy and statements related to Electronic Voting Machines (EVM), an Election Commission official has given a statement. On the alleged EVM controversy in Mumbai, the District Election Officer of Mumbai Suburban District said that the lock cannot be opened using options like mobile and one-time password (OTP).
Akhilesh Yadav, the former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, and Rahul Gandhi, the head of the Congress party, have both made remarks on the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) used in the elections in India. An Election Commission representative has now commented on the most recent controversy and discourse, which began with American billionaire industrialist Elon Musk's statement. The Mumbai Suburban District Election Officer has categorically denied the idea of utilizing a mobile device and an OTP to unlock the lock on the voting machines.
He stated, "No OTP (one-time password) comes on the mobile to unlock the EVM," in a message uploaded on X handle. The District Election Officer emphasized that programming is not possible. Furthermore, wireless communication is not possible with EVMs.
According to the Mumbai District Election Officer, EVMs are stand-alone devices that have no wired or wireless connectivity with units outside the EVM system. Outrightly ruling out any possibility of influencing elections or tampering with EVMs, the officer reiterated that advanced technological features and strong administrative security measures are in place to eliminate any possibility of tampering with the machine.
