Internet voting does not guarantee security: Ex-CEC

Kolkata, Dec 21:

Coming out firmly against introduction of e-voting in future, former chief election commissioner (CEC) S.Y. Quraishi Sunday said internet voting does not guarantee the security and integrity of voters.

“We are not looking at internet/distance voting for foreseeable future for two reasons. Technologically, it is child’s play for us to vote through internet or mobile phone but for two reasons — our security and your integrity,” Quraishi said here in response to a question on internet voting.

He was speaking at the launch of his book “An Undocumented Wonder: The Making of the Great Indian Election”.

“If you are voting from home with your laptop and a gunman puts a gun on you and says ‘vote for me’, then we can’t protect you at home. In such instances, we can’t guarantee your security,” he said.

Quraishi highlighted the “innocence” of electronic voting machines (EVMs), saying they are resistant to being hacked and misused in contrast to online procedures.

“An EVM is a stand-alone machine, not connected … It is a very innocent kind of machine and, therefore, impossible to be hacked. It is the most illiterate-friendly device, because you just need to press a button … the simplest thing on earth,” he said.

(IANS)