NCP urges EC to bar internet services near polling booths

Mumbai : A day before Maharashtra goes to the poll, the NCP has requested the Election Commission to bar internet services near the polling stations.

Saying that there is a possibility that the VVPATs and EVMs can be hacked by professionals using mobile internet, the NCP urged the EC to issue the order with the objective to avoid such criminal activities in the state during polls.

“There is a huge suspicion amongst the people of Maharashtra that EMS and VVPATs can be hacked and the votes that they cast go to some other candidates whom they didn’t wish to vote for. The hacking is possible and can be done by professional hackers using mobile internet,” the letter of NCP stated.

“To avoid such criminal activities from taking place, we request you to issue an order in Maharashtra that within the 3km radius of every poll booth and strong room (where EVMs would be stored) internet services should be stopped from the time voting begins to the counting of votes is concluded,” the letter added.

Meanwhile, the state has been put under heavy security cover to ensure safe and sound elections. Apart from this, special arrangements have also been made for women, specially-abled and senior citizens.

The campaigning for poll bound Maharashtra had ended on Saturday. The results for the elections will be announced on October 24.