"EVM Results Can Be Changed by Hacking": Sensational Claim by U.S. Intelligence Director
The reliability of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) has once again come under global scrutiny following a sensational statement by a top U.S. intelligence official. Amid ongoing debates and allegations of large-scale EVM fraud in India, a fresh controversy has erupted with claims that EVMs can be hacked and election results manipulated.
Tulsi Gabbard's Explosive Revelation
According to reports, Tulsi Gabbard, Director of the U.S. National Intelligence Service, made a startling revelation during a recent cabinet meeting. She claimed that evidence has emerged showing EVM machines can be easily hacked, thereby raising concerns about the integrity of electoral processes.
Her statement comes in the wake of previous objections raised by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who had publicly questioned the credibility of EVM-based voting systems.
Indian Election Commission Responds
In response to the growing concerns, including those directed at EVMs used in India, the Election Commission of India (ECI) issued a strong clarification. The commission highlighted that in all elections conducted so far, over five crore Voter Verified Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) have been cross-verified with the EVM results, and the outcomes have been found to match accurately.
The ECI emphasized that this robust verification process is a key difference between Indian EVMs and those used in other countries, reinforcing the credibility of India's electoral mechanism.
Global Debate on Electronic Voting
The latest claims by Gabbard are expected to fuel the ongoing global debate about the safety and transparency of electronic voting systems. While some countries continue to rely on EVMs for their convenience and speed, critics argue that the potential for tampering — however minimal — must be addressed with the utmost seriousness.
As discussions around digital election security intensify, the focus now turns to governments and electoral bodies worldwide to ensure that public trust in democratic institutions remains intact.