Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Election Chief Reaffirms Indian Voting Machines Cannot Be Hacked
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said electronic voting machines in India cannot be hacked remotely.
He explained that the machines do not connect to the internet or wireless networks.
Before voting begins, election workers and party representatives check the machines in a mock poll.
Each electronic vote also produces a paper record called a VVPAT slip.
Kumar said officials have not found a mismatch between machine totals and paper records across billions of votes counted.
After voting, officials record the total number of votes and seal the machines.
Candidate representatives can observe important checking and counting steps.
He also said a digital system called ECI Net helps election officials communicate.
Kumar pointed to high turnout in several Indian states as evidence that many people participate even though voting is voluntary.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said Indian EVMs are standalone devices without internet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, infrared, or electricity connectivity.
He described safeguards including electoral-roll verification, mandatory mock polls, VVPAT records, Form 17C documentation, sealing, and counting-agent verification.
Kumar said no mismatch has occurred between EVM counts and VVPAT receipts across billions of counted votes.
He said the Election Commission uses ECI Net to improve communication across its election network.
Kumar cited high turnout in several Indian states, including 93.7% in West Bengal, as evidence of strong voluntary participation.
- Who
- Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, election officials, political-party representatives, and polling personnel.
- What
- Kumar reaffirmed that India’s Electronic Voting Machines are not remotely hackable and outlined election safeguards and digital communication improvements.
- When
- During Kumar’s official two-day tour of Gujarat; the specific date is not stated.
- Where
- At the Ahmedabad Management Association in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, with additional scheduled visits and meetings elsewhere in Gujarat.
- Why
- To explain election-management procedures, respond to claims about EVM vulnerability, and reinforce confidence in electoral operations.
EVM Vulnerability Concerns
Election Commission’s Defense
Possibility of hacking
EVM Vulnerability Concerns
Claims have been raised about whether Electronic Voting Machines could be vulnerable.
Election Commission’s Defense
Gyanesh Kumar said EVMs have no electricity, internet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or infrared connectivity and therefore cannot be hacked remotely.
Verification of results
EVM Vulnerability Concerns
Concerns about machine reliability imply that electronic results should be independently checked.
Election Commission’s Defense
The Election Commission uses mock polls, VVPAT records, Form 17C, machine sealing, and verification in the presence of candidate representatives.
Public confidence
EVM Vulnerability Concerns
Questions about EVMs can raise doubts about the credibility of election results.
Election Commission’s Defense
Kumar said the layered safeguards and absence of reported EVM-VVPAT mismatches demonstrate the integrity of India’s voting process.
- Speaker
- Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
- Main claim
- EVMs are standalone devices, making remote hacking technically impossible, according to Kumar.
- Paper verification
- Every vote is mirrored by a Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail record.
- Reported mismatches
- Kumar said no mismatch has occurred between EVM counts and VVPAT receipts across billions of counted votes.
- Electoral-roll verification
- Around 12 lakh Booth Level Officers verify electoral rolls by visiting voters’ homes.
- Digital platform
- ECI Net is used to improve communication across the election network.
- Highest cited turnout
- West Bengal recorded 93.7% turnout among the figures cited by Kumar.