Man Accused of Plotting EVM Hack Faces Legal Action
A cheating case has been registered against a man accused of planning the manipulation of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in Maharashtra.
The case originates from a viral video in which the man purportedly claims he can hack and tamper with EVMs by isolating EVM frequency. The Maharashtra Chief Electoral Office filed a formal complaint leading to the registration of an FIR. This incident casts a shadow over the integrity of elections, especially after a landslide victory by the BJP-led Mahayuti coalition in the recent Maharashtra Assembly polls.
The accused, identified as Syed Shuja, faces serious legal consequences. The Election Commission of India has documented this incident in detail and released a public clarification emphasizing the sheer impossibility of such hacking attempts.
“A video was shared by some Social media users where a person is making false, baseless and unsubstantiated claims to hack and tamper EVMs in Maharashtra elections by isolation of EVM frequency,” the Maharashtra CEO’s office said in a statement.
The statement further added, “Mumbai Cyber Police have registered FIR No.0146/2024 at Cyber Police Station, Dakshin, Mumbai on 30th Nov night against the person in this video after receiving a complaint from CEO Maharashtra. The offence is lodged per 318/4 of Bharatiya Nyay Samhita (BNS), 2023 as well as under Clause 43 (g) and Clause 66 (d) of IT Act, 2000.
The Election Commission, firmly refuting the claims made in the video, stressed the absolute tamper-proof nature of EVMs.
sources in the Election Commission emphasized that anyone spreading misinformation concerning EVMs will be held accountable, stating, “Such actions are a serious offense, and no one involved will be spared.”
The EVM, they emphasized, is a standalone machine that cannot be connected to any network, eliminating the possibility of manipulation. “EVMs are completely tamper-proof. Honorable Supreme Court on multiple occasions has reposed its faith in EVMs. Election Commission of India has already published detailed FAQs on its website to clear any doubts and myths on EVMs,”
Adding to the controversy surrounding the video, the accused, Shuja, is not a stranger to similar actions.
The statement added that an FIR was registered against ‘same person’ in 2019 in a similar incident. The accused is believed to be hiding in another country. Speaking about the alleged EVM manipulation scheme detailed in the circulating video,
The blueprint for tampering: What the accused claims
In the viral video, the accused can be heard detailing his alleged plan: “I need someone to carry a phone and access a particular application that will scan the area and come up with which frequency we can isolate. Police radios use one frequency and EVMs match nearly the same frequency. I need to isolate that so that it is not intercepted.”
He claims to have access to “281 out of 288 seats” but admits to limitations, specifying areas where “frequency isolation is impossible.”
The accused goes on to quote a sum of Rs 52-53 crore for ensuring wins in 63 seats, needing that same technology to achieve a ‘clean sweep’
Opposition parties are using this incident to cast doubt on the recent Electoral Commission grilling, requesting a meeting to clarify arise remain about the recent DUP, Election Commission of India has already documented this incident in detail and released a public clarification emphasizing the sheer impossibility of such hacking attempts.”
Raising Doubts and Legal Repercussions
The contentious video has sparked a wave of questions surrounding the integrity of elections, with the Congress and other opposition parties actively questioning the effectiveness of EVM, and requested a meeting with Election Commission to address these concerns
The BJP, however, contends that such accusations are merely a tactic to deflect from their defeat. They have urged opposition parties to introspect rather than make such allegations.
A report on Election Integrity
How have election officials and experts responded to claims that EVMs can be hacked?
## Interview: EVM Hacking Claim Sparks Controversy
**Interviewer:** Joining us today is Dr. Anjali Sharma, an expert in election security and cyber law. Dr. Sharma, a recent video has gone viral showing a man claiming he can hack EVMs in Maharashtra. This has led to an FIR against him. Can you shed some light on the situation?
**Dr. Sharma:** Certainly. This incident raises serious concerns about the spread of misinformation regarding the integrity of our elections. The accused, Syed Shuja, claimed he could manipulate EVMs by isolating their frequency. This is simply not possible. EVMs in India are standalone machines, meaning they’re not connected to any networks. This design fundamentally prevents remote access or hacking as described by Mr. Shuja. [[1](https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/evm-hacking-election-commission-writes-to-delhi-police-seeking-fir-against-self-proclaimed-cyber-expert/article61549977.ece)]
**Interviewer:** The Election Commission has strongly refuted these claims, emphasizing the tamper-proof nature of EVMs.
**Dr. Sharma:** Exactly. The Election Commission has consistently maintained the integrity of EVMs. They’ve even published FAQs on their website to dispel rumors and misinformation. It’s crucial to rely on credible sources of information when it comes to elections. Spreading false claims about EVM hacking can undermine public trust in the democratic process. [[1](https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/evm-hacking-election-commission-writes-to-delhi-police-seeking-fir-against-self-proclaimed-cyber-expert/article61549977.ece)]
**Interviewer:** What are the legal consequences Mr. Shuja might face?
**Dr. Sharma:** He is currently facing charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the IT Act. These charges include cheating, spreading misinformation, and potentially inciting public disorder. It’s important to note that spreading misinformation about election processes is a serious offense. [[1](https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/evm-hacking-election-commission-writes-to-delhi-police-seeking-fir-against-self-proclaimed-cyber-expert/article61549977.ece)]
**Interviewer:** This isn’t the first time Mr. Shuja has been involved in such controversy.
**Dr. Sharma:** You’re right. This incident highlights a worrying trend of individuals attempting to sow doubt about our electoral systems. We need to be vigilant against such attempts and rely on facts and official sources of information. Maintaining faith in democratic institutions is crucial, and that begins with combating misinformation.
We thank Dr. Sharma for joining us today and providing her valuable insights.
