Indian EVMs have no internet or Wi-Fi, CEC Kumar says

“Young people are the most important force behind the democratic future of the country,” he said. “If they participate in the electoral process with awareness, democracy will become stronger.”

Kumar also spoke about the Election Commission’s effort to strengthen the Electoral Literacy Club initiative. The clubs, which have been part of the commission’s tradition for a long time, received a renewed push. “Interaction with principals, teachers, and students from 20 districts gives the assurance that our students possess a comprehensive knowledge of the electoral process and take pride in its transparency as well as their own participation in it,” he said.

Before becoming CEC, Kumar recalled his own student days in 1979. He was preparing to go to the United States when his mother’s wish and his attachment to India motivated him to stay. He cleared the civil services examination and began his administrative career in the Kerala cadre of the Indian Administrative Service. His journey eventually led him to the role of Chief Election Commissioner in what he called the world’s largest democracy.

Kumar advised students to verify sources before sharing information, especially on social media. “Before accepting any information, it is essential to check its source and verify its authenticity,” he said.

The concurrent audit mechanism he described is the commission’s strongest answer to claims of EVM manipulation. With party agents present at every step – from roll preparation to the final count – the commission argues that any fraud would require coordination across all parties, a scenario it considers practically impossible. Kumar’s Lucknow remarks frame the process as one of continuous, transparent review rather than a single moment of vulnerability.