EVM hacking charges sets off political wrangling, EC files police complaint

The claims that EVMs are hackable by a self-proclaimed cyber expert set off a major political wrangling on Tuesday with the Congress demanding a probe into these allegations, saying they concern the "survival of democracy" and the BJP dubbing them a "Congress-sponsored conspiracy" designed to "defame" Indian democracy and its Election Commission.

The poll panel also filed a complaint with the Delhi Police, asking it to register an FIR against Syed Shuja, who during a press conference in London on Monday claimed that the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) can be hacked, and the 2014 Lok Sabha elections were rigged.

In its complaint, the poll panel asked the police to investigate the matter "promptly" for violation of certain sections of the Indian Penal Code dealing with spreading rumour to alarm and "create fear" in the minds of the public.

Launching a stinging attack on the Congress over the presence of its leader Kapil Sibal at the press conference in London where Shuja made these allegations through Skype, Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said,"What was Sibal doing there? In what capacity was he present? My charge is that he was there to monitor the event for the Congress. It was a Congress-sponsored conspiracy designed to defame Indian democracy and its EC".

The minister also dubbed the London presser a "Congress-scripted exercise".

Hitting back at Prasad, Sibal said he has made an "irresponsible statement, not befitting the office he holds".

"This is an issue of free and fair elections. The issue is whether the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) can be tampered with. This is an issue concerning the survival of democracy in India," he told reporters in London.

"There should be an inquiry in the charges he (Shuja) has made. The Supreme Court and the law says there should be an FIR. It is your responsibility, if someone is making allegations it is important to ascertain whether the charges are right or not. If the charges are wrong, take action against him. If they are right, then it is a very serious thing," Sibal asserted
Questioning the use of EVMs, which are not even used by the more advanced nations, SP president Akhilesh Yadav said,"why does a country like Japan, which is very advanced in science and technology, is not using the EVMs? The question should be raised among the nation's 130 crore people."
In a statement, Ray said,"both IJA and Foreign Press Association organised the press meet - as we routinely do - in good faith. Following the controversy, FPA has 'disassociated' itself from the event. Admittedly, the accusations made by Ahmed were very serious; which he could not substantiate them...Since IJA had nothing to hide and we particularly wished to be open and transparent in this instance, we invited the ECI and all Indian political recognised by the ECI as national parties to attend the meet."