Bharat distances itself from EVM hackathon

BEL states that the reports are completely baseless and false. “No Hackathon event involving any EVM of BEL has been planned or scheduled by it. Therefore press note issued by Botswana Election Commission is without our approval or consent and facts stated therein are completely false and incorrect,” read a statement from the chairperson and managing director of BEL, one M V Gowtama, who categorically stated that the company has not sold any EVMs or VVPATs to the IEC.

“Botswana Election Commission has invited a team of BEL (experts) to show only the functionality of the EVM with the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) designed to meet the specific requirements of Botswana Government. These EVMs and VVPATs are different from the ones which are used by Election Commission of India,” Gowtama said.