Elon Musk and Indian Politicians Ignite Global Debate on Electronic Voting Machine Security

Tesla CEO Elon Musk and former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar have sparked a debate on X (formerly Twitter) regarding the potential switch from electronic voting machines (EVMs) to paper voting due to concerns about hacking and manipulation. This discussion later attracted support from Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, who shared Musk’s apprehensions about EVMs.

Musk initiated the debate by questioning the reliability of EVMs, citing media reports of voting irregularities in Puerto Rico’s elections involving hundreds of EVMs. He noted, “Luckily, there was a paper trail so the problem was identified and vote tallies corrected,” as highlighted by independent US presidential candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr.

Chandrasekhar, who led the electronics and information technology ministry in the previous government, responded to Musk’s comments by suggesting that it seemed as if Musk believed “no one can build secure digital hardware.” This response was in reference to India’s use of EVMs in the recent Lok Sabha elections, where numerous political leaders, particularly from opposition parties, echoed Musk’s sentiment that EVMs should be replaced with paper voting to maintain voter trust in the democratic process.

Rahul Gandhi, a longstanding critic of EVMs, reiterated his concerns, stating, “EVMs in India are a ‘black box,’ and nobody is allowed to scrutinise them. Serious concerns are being raised about transparency in our electoral process. Democracy ends up becoming a sham and prone to fraud when institutions lack accountability.” His remarks were made in direct response to Musk’s post.

Chandrasekhar offered to provide a tutorial to Musk on building secure EVMs, emphasizing that Musk’s generalization about digital hardware security was incorrect. “This is a huge sweeping generalization statement that implies no one can build secure digital hardware. Wrong. Elon Musk’s view may apply to the US and other places – where they use regular compute platforms to build internet-connected voting machines,” he stated in his reply to Musk’s concerns about EVM reliability.

Akhilesh Yadav, supporting the anti-EVM stance, highlighted that technology experts worldwide are voicing concerns about EVM tampering. “We reiterate our demand that all future elections be conducted using ballot papers,” he asserted.

Chandrasekhar defended Indian EVMs, explaining that they are custom-designed and isolated from any network or media, including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and the internet. He stated, “There is no way in. (There are) factory programmed controllers that cannot be reprogrammed. Electronic voting machines can be… built right as India has done…” To this, Musk replied, “Anything can be hacked.”

Chandrasekhar conceded that “anything is possible,” at least in theory, adding, “…With quantum compute, I can decrypt any level of encryption. With lab-level tech and plenty of resources, I can hack any digital hardware/system including the flight controls of a glass cockpit of a jet, etc. But that’s a different type of conversation from EVMs being secure and reliable…”

The Supreme Court has also ruled that it cannot dictate the Election Commission’s (EC) functioning regarding EVMs, maintaining that India’s EVMs are foolproof. The EC has consistently asserted the security and reliability of Indian EVMs.

An EVM comprises a control unit and a balloting unit, connected by a cable, and linked to a VVPAT (Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail) machine. This setup enables voters to verify that their vote was cast correctly and recorded for their chosen candidate.

Interestingly, some European nations have reverted to ballot voting systems, highlighting a global debate on the best practices for ensuring fair and secure elections.

Elon Musk’s concern about EVM reliability stems from instances like Puerto Rico’s voting irregularities, which were only identified due to the existence of a paper trail. This underscores the importance of transparency and trust in the electoral process. Robert F Kennedy Jr.’s acknowledgment of the role of a paper trail in correcting vote tallies highlights the potential vulnerabilities of EVMs without such a backup.

Rajeev Chandrasekhar’s defense of Indian EVMs points to their custom design and lack of connectivity, which he argues make them secure. He criticizes Musk’s generalized view on digital hardware security, emphasizing that India’s EVMs are not regular compute platforms but are specifically designed for secure voting. This distinction is crucial in the debate over the reliability and security of voting technologies.

Rahul Gandhi’s critique of EVMs as a “black box” reflects broader concerns about the transparency and accountability of electoral processes. His call for scrutiny and accountability aligns with global demands for electoral integrity, especially in democracies where the legitimacy of elections is paramount.

Akhilesh Yadav’s support for paper ballots echoes similar concerns about the potential for EVM tampering and fraud. His call for a return to paper voting underscores the demand for trust and transparency in the electoral process, a sentiment shared by many critics of electronic voting systems.

The Supreme Court’s ruling that it cannot dictate the EC’s handling of EVMs highlights the judiciary’s respect for the independence of electoral authorities. The EC’s assertion of the foolproof nature of Indian EVMs reflects confidence in their security measures, despite ongoing debates and criticisms.

The use of VVPAT machines in conjunction with EVMs in India aims to address transparency concerns by providing a paper trail that voters can verify. This system is intended to ensure that votes are recorded accurately and can be audited if necessary, addressing some of the key concerns raised by critics of EVMs.

The global context of this debate, with some European countries reverting to paper ballots, indicates a broader reevaluation of electronic voting systems. The move towards paper voting in these countries reflects a preference for the perceived reliability and transparency of traditional voting methods.

The debate initiated by Elon Musk and Rajeev Chandrasekhar on the reliability of EVMs has garnered significant attention and support from prominent Indian politicians. The discussion highlights the ongoing global debate on the best practices for secure and transparent elections, balancing technological advancements with the need for voter trust and electoral integrity.