Fri Nov 15 00:23:30 UTC 2024: ## Cyber Expert’s EVM Hacking Claims Debunked Again Ahead of Maharashtra Elections

**Mumbai, India** – Just days before the crucial Maharashtra Assembly elections, a self-proclaimed cyber expert, Syed Shuja, has resurfaced with claims of being able to hack Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and influence the election results. This is not the first time Shuja has made such allegations, and his claims have been repeatedly debunked by experts, the Election Commission, and the ECIL (Electronic Corporation of India Limited).

Shuja, who claims to have worked as a contractor for the US Department of Defence, approached the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), the Opposition alliance in Maharashtra, offering his “services” to help them win the elections. Posing as a personal assistant to an MP, India Today’s investigative team contacted Shuja and recorded their conversation.

During the call, Shuja claimed he could manipulate the EVMs using a complex process involving frequency isolation and specific applications. He demanded USD 6 million for his services and insisted he needed access to VVPAT details. However, his claims were found to be entirely baseless, lacking any technical foundation.

Experts have pointed out several inconsistencies in Shuja’s claims. His assertions about using low-frequency signals from Jio to hack EVMs are implausible, especially since Jio wasn’t operational during the 2014 polls. Additionally, his educational and professional credentials have also come under scrutiny, with no records found of him at the institutions he claims to have attended.

The Election Commission has consistently maintained that EVMs are tamper-proof and Shuja’s claims are baseless. They have filed a police complaint against him for spreading misinformation and undermining the integrity of the electoral process.

This incident highlights the importance of verifying information and the potential for misinformation to influence public opinion and elections. The Election Commission has urged voters to rely on credible sources and to be cautious of unsubstantiated claims.

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