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EVMs don’t respond to any radio frequency: EC
New Delhi, Jan 22 (IANS) In the wake of fresh controversy over alleged manipulation of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the Election Commission (EC) on Tuesday reiterated it is not possible to communicate with its EVMs through wireless technology.
It also underlined that it was not possible to print on both sides of the voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) paper slips as the paper has thermal coating only on one side.
The EC’s clarification came a day after a US-based self-claimed cyber expert Syed Shuja claimed that the 2014 Lok Sabha elections were “rigged” by manipulating the EVMs.
The EC said that members of the Technical Experts Committee (TEC) — Prof D.T. Shahani from IIT-Delhi, Prof Rajat Moona from IIT-Bhilai and Prof D.K. Sharma from IIT-Bombay have “reconfirmed to the EC” that its EVMs are standalone machines and that “there is no mechanism” in the machines to “communicate with any device through wireless communication on any radio frequency”.
“In the context of Syed Shuja alleging about the two-side printing of VVPAT paper which allegedly retains lower tampered print, while the front side print, as verified by the voter, gets erased, the TEC clarified that VVPATs use thermal printers which can print only on one side of thermal paper,” the EC said in a statement.
“The paper rolls used in VVPATs have only one-sided thermal coating and hence can be printed only on one side. The VVPAT paper print lasts at least for five years,” it said.
The EC has also lodged an FIR against Shuja in New Delhi.
Shuja, who claimed to be part of the team that designed EVMs used in India, alleged that the Congress lost 210 seats in 2014 general election “due to tampering”.
He further alleged that his team members met “a BJP leader in 2014 who knew about this” and “they were killed in an attack”.
However, the Electronics Corporation of India Ltd (ECIL) has said that Shuja was neither its regular employee nor associated with the team involved in designing and developing the EVMs.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.