EVM Security Debate Reignites After Tulsi Gabbard’s Allegations

The security of India’s Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) has come under renewed scrutiny following remarks made by former U.S. Congresswoman and ex-Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard. Her reported claims, made during a Cabinet-level meeting, alleged potential vulnerabilities in EVMs that could allow hackers to manipulate election outcomes. Gabbard advocated a return to paper ballots, citing evidence her office had allegedly collected—sparking fresh political debate in India. It is time to FaceOff the fact.

In a strong rebuttal, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar dismissed the concerns, reaffirming the integrity and security of India’s EVMs. "Indian EVMs are manufactured by public sector undertakings and undergo strict legal scrutiny. These machines are completely standalone—they are not connected to Bluetooth, infrared, or any network, ruling out the possibility of remote tampering," Kumar asserted.

He also pointed to the robust verification mechanism in place. "Over five crore VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) slips have been matched with EVM results without discrepancies. This is clear evidence that India's EVMs are tamper-proof and secure," he said, assuring voters of the system’s reliability.

The issue took a political turn when Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala criticized the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the central government for their “silence” on Gabbard’s allegations. Surjewala urged the Supreme Court to take suo moto cognizance of the matter and called for a transparent investigation.

"Why are the Prime Minister, the NDA government, and the BJP silent?" he questioned. He further accused the ECI of evading accountability by "planting source-based stories" rather than offering a direct, public response.

Surjewala also questioned the credibility of dismissing Gabbard’s concerns, especially in light of her recent felicitation in India. He urged the Indian government to initiate dialogue with the U.S. government and Gabbard to obtain further details, and to conduct comprehensive testing of the EVMs to restore public trust.

While the Election Commission has consistently defended the EVMs—citing a multi-layered framework of technical and procedural safeguards—this episode has reignited opposition demands for greater transparency and oversight in the electoral process.

As political discourse intensifies ahead of upcoming elections, the debate over EVM security is likely to remain a flashpoint in India’s democratic landscape.