The Mumbai Police has taken legal action against Mangesh Pandilkar, the brother-in-law of the recently elected Mumbai North West Lok Sabha MP Ravindra Waikar. The case involves allegations of Pandilkar using a mobile phone within a counting center on June 4, the day the Lok Sabha election results were disclosed.
Pandilkar supposedly utilized the mobile phone at the counting center in the Goregaon locality in Mumbai to generate a One-Time Password (OTP) required to unlock an electronic voting machine (EVM). Waikar, a Member of Parliament from the Shiv Sena faction under the leadership of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, clinched victory by a slim margin of just 48 votes in the Mumbai North West constituency, defeating his opponent, Amol Gajanan Kirtikar, affiliated with the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena. The outcome stirred controversy, prompting Thackeray to announce a challenge to the results.
Following the declaration of results, complaints were lodged with the police and the Election Commission by several candidates contesting from the constituency. Additionally, a case was registered against an Election Commission staff member for allegedly providing the mobile phone to Pandilkar.
Dinesh Gurav, the polling officer, had possession of the phone necessary for generating the OTP to unlock the EVM. The phone’s use by an individual other than an election officer was against regulations. Statements from Pandilkar and the Election Commission official are under police scrutiny, with further action being considered by the returning officer.
The mobile phone potentially served the purpose of generating the OTP, as indicated by sources who suggest that the phone was used for data management and received calls. It is suspected that Pandilkar used the phone extensively from the early hours until 4:30 pm, a critical period during the closely contested elections in Mumbai North West. Pandilkar has reportedly acknowledged making calls from the phone.
An investigation is underway to ascertain why the mobile phone was not returned to the returning officer, as mandated. The Mumbai Police have formed three teams to delve into the matter, exploring surveillance footage provided by the Election Commission for vital details.
Investigators intend to examine call records from the mobile phone utilized for generating the OTP, with particular attention to the calling activity associated with the device. The inquiry will focus on the number of calls made, OTPs received, and whether calls were accepted on the phone.
The incident occurred against the backdrop of tech maverick Elon Musk’s concern over EVMs, highlighting potential security risks associated with the voting machines. His remarks prompted a response from Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, who echoed Musk’s apprehensions about EVM vulnerabilities, likening them to a “black box.”
A debate ensued among political figures regarding the reliability of EVMs, with some advocating a return to traditional paper ballots in future elections. The Election Commission has consistently defended the safety and integrity of EVMs, refuting claims of susceptibility to manipulation.
As the investigation progresses, the political outcry over EVM security and transparency in electoral processes continues to resonate among various factions.
