1 week ago
CEC Kumar Says Indian EVMs Offline, Urges Youth Voting
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar spoke with students in Lucknow about elections.
He said Indian electronic voting machines are made by public sector companies.
He said the machines are not connected to the internet, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi.
Kumar told students to check whether information is trustworthy before sharing it online.
He said India has around 100 crore voters.
He encouraged people aged 18 and older to register to vote.
He explained that election agents check different stages of the election process.
He also discussed Electoral Literacy Clubs, which teach students about elections and democracy.
Kumar said informed participation by young people can strengthen democracy.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said Indian EVMs are made by public sector companies and lack internet, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi connectivity.
During his two-day Lucknow visit, Kumar discussed EVMs, elections, democracy, and youth participation with students at Colvin Taluqdars’ College.
Kumar urged people to verify information sources before accepting or sharing claims on social media.
He encouraged citizens aged 18 and above to register as voters and asked young people to promote participation among family and peers.
Kumar described concurrent checks by political parties’ booth-level agents and candidates’ polling and counting agents, and highlighted Electoral Literacy Clubs.
- Who
- Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, students, election officials, political-party booth-level agents, and candidates’ polling and counting agents.
- What
- Kumar addressed EVM connectivity, election safeguards, voter registration, information verification, youth participation, and electoral literacy.
- Where
- Lucknow, including Colvin Taluqdars’ College and another programme.
- When
- Monday, August 24, 2026, during Kumar’s two-day visit to Lucknow; reports were published on August 25, 2026.
- Why
- To answer questions about EVMs, explain election procedures, promote informed participation, and encourage voter registration.
Key facts
- Speaker
- Gyanesh Kumar, Chief Election Commissioner
- EVM manufacturing
- Kumar said Indian EVMs are manufactured by public sector companies.
- Connectivity
- Kumar said the machines do not have internet, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or other wireless connectivity.
- Electorate
- Kumar said India has around 100 crore voters.
- Voter registration
- He urged people aged 18 and above to register as voters and referred to Article 326 of the Constitution.
- Election checks
- Booth-level agents audit electoral-roll preparation, while candidates’ polling and counting agents conduct checks during polling and counting.
- Electoral Literacy Clubs
- The Election Commission said it was strengthening Electoral Literacy Clubs, including through interaction with principals, teachers, and students from 20 districts.
Quotes
Gyanesh Kumar
Chief Election Commissioner of India
“As you are all aware, elections in India are conducted as per the Constitution, laws, and guidelines ('nirdesho'). When the electoral roll is prepared in India, its concurrent audit is carried out by the booth-level agents of all political parties. Similarly, during polling, a concurrent audit is conducted by the candidates' polling agents; and likewise, during the counting process, a concurrent audit is performed by the candidates' counting agents.”
freepressjournal.in
“Interaction with principals, teachers, and students from 20 districts gives the assurance that our students possess a comprehensive knowledge of the electoral process and take pride in its transparency as well as their own participation in it.”
rediff.com
Sources
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