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Chief Electoral Officer Dismisses EVM Manipulation Claims Ahead of Nuapada Bypoll
Odisha’s Chief Electoral Officer RS Gopalan has firmly rejected allegations made by the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) regarding suspicious movement of electronic voting machines (EVMs) ahead of Tuesday’s Nuapada bypoll, warning that such unsubstantiated claims could severely damage public trust in the electoral system.
During a news conference on Monday, Gopalan addressed the serious accusation that a truckload of EVMs had been illegally transported from Ganjam district to Nuapada just before the election, which will see approximately 254,000 voters deciding between 14 candidates.
“This is a very serious allegation,” Gopalan stated, emphasizing the need to clarify the Election Commission’s strict protocols on EVM security. “Such baseless allegations are insidious and destroy people’s faith in the election process. The damage may not be repairable for the next 75 years.”
Gopalan provided a detailed explanation of the multi-layered security system protecting EVMs, which includes storage in district warehouses under double lock and key, 24-hour police surveillance, CCTV monitoring, and meticulous logbook documentation. District collectors conduct both monthly and quarterly inspections that are recorded and formally reported.
According to the CEO, verification of CCTV footage confirmed that the Ganjam EVM warehouse remained unopened throughout the month, with no trucks entering or exiting the premises. For the Nuapada bypoll, authorities deployed 720 sets of EVMs and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) – representing 200% of the required number – all sourced exclusively from Nuapada’s existing inventory.
“No EVMs were brought from any other district, nor were any taken out during this period,” Gopalan clarified.
He outlined the comprehensive four-step process for EVM preparation: first-level checking, first randomization, second randomization, and commissioning. Each stage was conducted with representatives from political parties and candidates present, with detailed lists of serial numbers shared and acknowledgments obtained from all participants.
Since their commissioning, all machines have been secured in the returning officer’s strong room under the watch of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and local police, with continuous CCTV surveillance. On Monday, the strong room was opened under videography with candidates or their agents present as machines were dispatched to presiding officers across all 358 polling stations.
“Every ballot unit, control unit, and VVPAT carries a unique serial number, and these are shared with candidates,” Gopalan explained. “Polling agents can verify them before mock polls and again on counting day. At every stage, transparency is ensured.”
Without directly naming BJD, Gopalan noted that when asked to provide supporting evidence for their allegations – such as the truck’s location or registration number – the party failed to present any concrete proof. “It is not possible for any collector or individual to procure a truckload of EVMs from another district’s warehouse or commission them for polls,” he emphasized.
In its memorandum submitted Sunday, BJD had claimed that the “untimely arrival” of EVMs in Nuapada created “serious doubts” among voters and party workers, fueling fears of potential tampering in what they described as a prevailing atmosphere of concern over “vote chori” (vote theft).
The controversy comes at a sensitive time in Odisha’s political landscape, with bypolls being closely watched following recent shifts in power dynamics. The Nuapada constituency is seeing intense competition as parties vie for influence in the region.
Gopalan concluded with an appeal to voters: “We urge the people of Odisha not to give credence to baseless allegations. It is simply not possible for anyone to carry out the activities alleged.”
The Election Commission has maintained that all electoral processes in Nuapada are being conducted with utmost transparency and in strict adherence to established protocols, with the bypoll scheduled to proceed as planned on Tuesday.
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18 Comments
It’s good to see the authorities taking a strong stance against unsubstantiated claims of EVM manipulation. Maintaining public trust in the integrity of elections is essential for the democratic process to function effectively.
Agreed. The Chief Electoral Officer’s warning about the long-term damage that such allegations can cause is a sobering reminder of the importance of responsible political discourse around elections.
It’s concerning to see political parties making unsubstantiated claims about EVM manipulation, especially so close to an election. Election officials must remain vigilant in addressing such allegations firmly and factually.
Agreed. Unverified claims of electoral impropriety can be highly damaging, so it’s critical that the authorities act quickly to refute them and reassure the public.
It’s concerning to see political parties making unsubstantiated claims about EVM manipulation so close to an election. The Chief Electoral Officer’s firm response and emphasis on the importance of public trust in the electoral process is commendable.
Absolutely. Maintaining the integrity of elections is vital for the health of a democracy, so it’s critical that the authorities address such allegations quickly and decisively.
The Chief Electoral Officer’s detailed explanation of the security protocols in place for EVMs is reassuring. Transparency around these measures is key to countering misinformation and ensuring voter confidence in the electoral process.
Kudos to the Chief Electoral Officer for emphasizing the need to protect public trust in the electoral process. Maintaining confidence in the integrity of elections is fundamental to a healthy democracy.
The detailed overview of the EVM security measures is a helpful reminder of the robust safeguards in place to ensure the fairness and accuracy of the voting process. It’s good to see the authorities being proactive in addressing misinformation.
The Chief Electoral Officer’s warning about the long-term damage that can be done by baseless allegations is a sobering reminder of the importance of responsible political discourse around elections.
Absolutely. Unsubstantiated claims can sow deep mistrust that is difficult to repair, even long after the immediate political context has changed.
The Chief Electoral Officer’s firm rejection of the EVM manipulation claims is a reassuring sign that the authorities are taking these allegations seriously and are committed to protecting the integrity of the electoral process.
Agreed. Decisive action to address such claims is crucial to maintaining trust in the democratic system, especially during a sensitive election period.
It’s good to see the Chief Electoral Officer firmly rejecting unsubstantiated claims of EVM manipulation. Maintaining public trust in the integrity of the electoral process is crucial for a healthy democracy.
Agreed. Unfounded accusations can severely undermine faith in the system, so it’s important that election officials provide clear explanations of the security protocols in place.
It’s encouraging to see the authorities providing a transparent explanation of the security protocols in place for EVMs. This level of openness helps counter misinformation and bolster public confidence.
The detailed overview of the multi-layered security measures for EVMs sounds very comprehensive. It’s reassuring to hear that there are robust safeguards in place to protect the integrity of the voting process.
Absolutely. Transparency around these procedures is key to countering misinformation and ensuring voters have confidence in the system.