CEC Rajiv Kumar Puts Hacking Myths To Rest: 'Pagers Are Connected, EVMs Are Not'

Rajiv Kumar, Chief Election Commissioner, while addressing a press conference in the national capital, responded to a question on Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) manipulation. The Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar announced that assembly elections in Maharashtra will be held in a single phase on November 20 and the votes will be counted on November 23.“Didn't want to touch this subject. Because of exit polls and the expectations they set, big distortion created. It's a question of reflection for the press, especially electronic media. Since the last few elections, a whole canvas of issues - we can't regulate it but there needs to be an awareness of responsibilities of exit polls," he said."Now people also ask if people can blow up pagers, can they not blow up EVMs too? Pagers are connected and EVMs are not," Rajiv Kumar said."We have received 20 complaints about EVMs. We will respond to each of them, fact by fact. We will convey to each candidate to assure them, as is our duty, and we will publish the responses as well," he added."During every step related to EVMs, polling agents of the candidates oversee it. When the poll symbols are loaded onto EVMs, the EVMs, including the battery compartment are sealed and the candidates' agents sign the seal of the battery pack as well," he added. Meanwhile, addressing a press conference in the national capital, Rajiv Kumar said that the date of issue of Gazette notification is October 22, last date of filing nominations is October 29, the date for scrutiny of nominations will be October 30 and the last date for withdrawal of candidatures is November 4.In 2019, Maharashtra Assembly polls, the Congress and unified Shiv Sena had won 154 out of 288 seats as part of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition . However, this time around the Shiv Sena (UBT), Sharad Pawar's NCP and Congress are in alliance to counter BJP-led Mahayuti alliance.