Priyank Kharge for 'moral hackathon' to verify authenticity of EVMs

Bengaluru:  To verify the authenticity of electronic voting machines (EVMs), IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge requested the Election Commission to allow a 'moral hackathon' in the presence of Supreme Court judges with experts from India and abroad.  

Introducing the Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj Amendment Bill in the Legislative Council on Wednesday, which reintroduces voting by ballot papers instead of voting machines in the local body elections, he said, "In the world's Silicon Valley itself, voting does not take place through EVMs.

Even advanced countries have doubts about the reliability of EVMs and are returning to ballot paper elections. The Commission should provide a platform to demonstrate how EVMs are hacked in different places. Then the truth will be known to the people of the country."  

Amid strong opposition and walkout by BJP–JD(S) members, the bill was passed.