Supreme Court to hear plea for probe into alleged tampering of EVMs

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear on Friday a plea seeking a probe into allegations of alleged tampering of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) during polls, including the recent assembly elections in five states.

A bench headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar posted for hearing on March 24 the PIL which has sought a direction to the Election Commission and the Centre for probe into the allegations of EVM tampering and its possibility.

The plea sought examination of the "quality, software/ malware and hacking effect in the EVMs from a reliable electronic lab/scientist and software expert and to file their report before this court for further action/prosecution".

In his PIL, advocate M L Sharma also sought a direction to the Centre for registering an FIR to investigate the alleged tempering of EVMs "for vested interest by the political party and to file their report before the apex court".

The petitioner referred to allegations of EVM tampering in the recent assembly elections in five states and Maharashtra civic polls.

The PIL claimed that it was admitted by the poll panel itself that EVMs are tamper proof only until their technical, mechanical and software details remain a secret.

"These details can be detected via reverse engineering by any expert. Wireless device/software can be prepared via reverse engineering, and with their help voting records can be changed in any location and at any time," the plea claimed.