No Tampering Possible In EVMs, Re-Verification Confirms: Election Commission

2024 Maharashtra Assembly Polls Cleared Of Any Technical Anomalies, All Machines Certified Functional

Mumbai, July 31 — The Election Commission of India (ECI) has once again categorically dismissed concerns about tampering in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), following a thorough post-election verification process carried out after the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections.

The examination, held as per ECI’s directive dated 17 June 2025, involved a diagnostic inspection of Ballot Units (BU), Control Units (CU) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) devices from 10 Assembly constituencies, based on formal requests from 10 contesting candidates. The process was overseen by Chief Electoral Officer S. Chockalingam.

Zero Discrepancies Found, Mock Polls Certified

In total, 48 BUs, 31 CUs, and 31 VVPATs were inspected. The audit confirmed that all machines passed the diagnostic tests without exceptions. There were no mismatches between the VVPAT slips and the recorded EVM data, eliminating any possibility of manipulation.

Out of the ten requesting candidates, eight were physically present or sent official representatives during the testing. Two abstained.

In select constituencies such as Kopri-Pachpakhadi, Thane, Khadakwasla, and Majalgaon, microcontroller and memory validations were also conducted. In Panvel, Alibag, Arni, Yeola, Chandgad, Kolhapur North, and parts of Majalgaon, mock polls were run alongside diagnostics. All results reconfirmed system integrity.

Commission Reaffirms: EVMs Are Secure

In a public release, the Election Commission reiterated that EVMs are tamper-proof, and their design prevents external interference or result manipulation. The Commission stated that the re-verification should lay to rest any lingering doubts regarding the 2024 Assembly election results in Maharashtra.