Computer science experts criticize Election Commission’s response to EVM security concerns

By A Representative

A group of computer science experts and advocacy organizations has accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of prioritizing responses to foreign officials over addressing domestic concerns about the security of India’s electronic voting machines (EVMs). The criticism follows the ECI’s swift rebuttal of remarks by Tulsi Gabbard, the U.S. Director of National Intelligence, who recently questioned the integrity of India’s EVM system.

Experts from the Citizens Commission on Elections (CCE) and Vote for Democracy (VFD), including Madhav Deshpande, a seasoned computer scientist and former consultant to the Obama administration, and retired IIT-Kanpur professor Harish Karnick, argue that the ECI’s claims of EVM security lack transparency and verifiable proof.

In a statement, the experts highlighted vulnerabilities in the current EVM design, particularly the use of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) units and Symbol Loading Units (SLUs), which they claim could be exploited to manipulate election outcomes. They warned that malicious software, such as vote-stealing Trojans, could be introduced via USB drives during the candidate list upload process.

Such malware could alter vote counts after a predetermined number of ballots are cast and erase itself post-election, leaving no trace. Additionally, the brief connection of SLUs to ECI servers to download candidate data creates a potential entry point for tampering, as external actors could compromise the system during this window.

The group criticized the ECI for failing to allow independent, public testing of operational EVMs or disclose protocols to ensure data integrity across EVM components. They noted that earlier EVM models used before 2014, which lacked VVPAT and SLU systems, were inherently more secure due to their standalone nature.

To restore public trust, the experts demanded non-invasive testing of EVMs used in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections at multiple locations nationwide, full transparency on data-handling processes, and open scrutiny of randomly selected SLUs by independent committees in each constituency.

The statement follows a detailed memorandum submitted to the ECI on April 11 by over 80 citizens and experts, urging reforms to safeguard electoral integrity. The ECI has yet to publicly address these demands, prompting critics to label its assurances as “official propaganda” unsupported by scientific evidence.

---

Click here for full statement

Comments

Wave of disappearances sparks human rights fears for activists in Delhi

By Harsh Thakor* A philosophy student from Zakir Hussain College, Delhi University, and an activist associated with Nazariya magazine, Rudra, has been reported missing since the morning of July 19, 2025. This disappearance adds to a growing concern among human rights advocates regarding the escalating number of detentions and disappearances of activists in Delhi.

How community leaders overcome obstacles to protect forests and pastures in remote villages

By Bharat Dogra Dheera Ram Kapaya grew up in such poverty that, unable to attend school himself, he would carry another boy’s heavy school bag for five kilometers just to get a scoop of daliya (porridge). When he was finally able to attend school, he had to leave after class five to join other adolescent workers. However, as soon as opportunities arose, he involved himself in community efforts—promoting forest protection, adult literacy, and other constructive initiatives. His hidden talent for writing emerged during this time, and he became known for the songs and street play scripts he created to promote forest conservation, discourage child marriages, and support other social reforms.

‘Act of war on agriculture’: Aruna Rodrigues slams GM crop expansion and regulatory apathy

By Rosamma Thomas* Expressing appreciation to the Union Agriculture Minister for inviting suggestions from farmers and concerned citizens on the sharp decline in cotton crop productivity, Aruna Rodrigues—lead petitioner in the Supreme Court case ongoing since 2005 that seeks a moratorium on genetically modified (GM) crops—wrote to Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on July 14, 2025, stating that conflicts of interest have infiltrated India’s regulatory system like a spreading cancer, including within the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR).

The GMO illusion: Three decades of hype, harm, and false hope

By Sridhar Radhakrishnan Three decades of hype, billions of dollars spent, and still no miracle crop. It's time to abandon the GMO biotech fairy tale and return to the soil, the seed, and the farmer. “Trust us,” they said. “GMOs will feed the world.” Picture a world where there is plenty of food, no hunger, fields grow without chemical pesticides, children are saved from malnutrition, and people live healthily.

Sandra Gonzalez Sanabria: An inspiring life from Colombia’s Amazonian valley

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* In the village of Héctor Ramírez, known as Agua Bonita, in La Montañita, Caquetá, Colombia, a vision of peace and renewal is unfolding. In the pre-2016 period, this would have been nearly impossible for outsiders to visit, as it was the epicenter of violent resistance against state oppression. However, after the Peace Accord was signed between the Colombian government and former revolutionaries—marking the end of a 70-year insurgency that claimed over 400,000 lives until 2025, including civilians, rebel fighters, and security personnel—things began to change. Visiting Agua Bonita during the Global Land Forum in Bogotá revealed a village of hope and resilience. Former FARC revolutionaries have settled here and transformed the village into a center of peace and aspiration.

Indigenous Karen activist calls for global solidarity amid continued struggles in Burma

By A Representative At the International Festival for People’s Rights and Struggles (IFPRS), Naw Paw Pree, an Indigenous Karen activist from the Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG), shared her experiences of oppression, resilience, and hope. Organized with the support of the International Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self-Determination and Liberation (IPMSDL), the event brought together Indigenous and marginalized communities from across the globe, offering a rare safe space for shared learning, solidarity, and expression.

Activists allege abduction and torture by Delhi Police Special Cell in missing person probe

By A Representative A press statement released today by the Campaign Against State Repression (CASR) alleges that several student and social activists have been abducted, illegally detained, and subjected to torture by the Delhi Police Special Cell. The CASR claims these actions are linked to an investigation into the disappearance of Vallika Varshri, an editorial team member of 'Nazariya' magazine.

India’s zero-emission, eco-friendly energy strategies have a long way to go, despite impressive progress

By N.S. Venkataraman* The recent report released by OPEC’s World Oil Outlook 2025 has predicted that by the year 2050, crude oil would replace coal as India’s key energy source. Clearly, OPEC expects that India’s dependence on fossil fuels for energy will continue to remain high in one form or another.

Gender violence defies stringent laws: The need for robust social capital

By Dr. Manoj Kumar Mishra* The tragic death of Miss Soumyashree Bisi, a 20-year-old student from Fakir Mohan College, Balasore, who reportedly self-immolated due to harassment, shocked the conscience of Odisha. Even before the public could process this horrifying event, another harrowing case emerged—a 15-year-old girl from Balanga, Puri, was allegedly set ablaze by miscreants. These incidents are not isolated; they highlight a disturbing pattern of rising gender-based violence across the state and the country.

Search This Blog