Mumbai North West EVM Unlocking Claims Complete Lie, Filed Case Over Unauthorised Phone Use: Poll Official

[CaptainMaverick]

There is no OTP on mobile for unlocking EVM as it is non-programmable and has no wireless communication capabilities. “It is a complete lie being spread by a newspaper, which is being used by some leaders to create a false narrative,” the DEO added

The District Election Officer (DEO), Mumbai Suburban, on Sunday acknowledged that there was unauthorised use of mobile phone at the counting centre in Mumbai North West Lok Sabha constituency, stating that a criminal case has already been filed by the Returning Officer (RO). However, it maintained that there is no One Time Password (OTP) on mobile for unlocking an EVM, as it is non-programmable and has no wireless communication capabilities.

“It is a complete lie being spread by a newspaper, which is being used by some leaders to create a false narrative,” the DEO added.

In a post on X, the DEO issued a statement – signed by Vandana Suryavanshi, Returning Officer Mumbai North West PC – saying that EVMs are standalone devices without any wired or wireless connectivity with units outside the EVM system. “Advanced technical features and robust administrative safeguards are in place to rule out any possibility of manipulation. Safeguards include conducting everything in the presence of candidates or their agents,” the DEO added.

 

The DEO said the incident in Mumbai North West Constituency Counting Centre was about “unauthorisedly using the mobile phone of an authorised person by a candidate’s aide”. “Criminal case has already been filed by the Returning Officer.”

The DEO further explained that counting of Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS) happens in physical form (paper ballots) and not electronics “as being spread through false narratives”.

“Every counting sheet at every table for ETPBS and EVM counting and postal ballot counting (including ETPBS) is signed by all counting agents after due diligence,” the statement said, adding that the RO is proceeding against the newspaper for “spreading rumours maligning Indian voters and the electoral system”.

When the Lok Sabha results were announced on June 4, Ravindra Waikar from the Shiv Sena won the polls by the lowest margin of just 48 votes. He defeated Amol Gajanan Kirtikar of Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) in Mumbai North West. Interestingly, Waikar lost the polls in EVM votes, but won on the basis of postal ballots.

 

MUMBAI POLICE CLARIFIES MISLEADING CLAIMS

 

The Mumbai Police informed that a case has been registered at Vanrai Police Station for allowing an individual to use a mobile phone illegally, despite the prohibition on the use of mobile phones and electronic items at the counting station.

“While the case is still under investigation, some English & Marathi news media published news stating ‘To unlock EVM, a mobile phone was used to generate OTP’. No such information is released to any newspaper by Mumbai Police. Therefore such news articles are false & misleading,” it said.