New Delhi: The controversy surrounding the possibility of hacking the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) was hopefully put to rest on Saturday, with the two participating parties -- the NCP and the CPM, giving it a clean chit.

The Election Commission on Saturday held the EVM hacking challenge, starting with a detailed demonstration on the various security checks in the machine.

The NCP and the CPIM were the only parties to participate. Briefing media in the evening, Chief Election Commissioner NasimZaidi said, both NCP and CPI(M) did not attempt tampering but expressed satisfaction with the EVMs after a demonstration. The NCP and the CPM were the only parties which had applied to participate in the challenge. The poll panel had invited the seven national and 49 state parties recognised by it for the challenge.

He said, CPM clarified doubts and NCP wanted to participate only in an academic exercise. He said, CPM team suggested that Commission should hold such demonstration and awareness sessions proactively. Zaidi reiterated that the EVM machines were tamperproof. He said, EC stands committed for complete transparency and political parties were invited to participate and not to witness process. 

According to media reports the EVM challenge began at 10 AM and went on till 2 PM.The EVM challenge was organised by the Election Commission after several major opposition parties had claimed that the faith of people in the machines has eroded due to allegations of tampering. The poll body has maintained that EVMs are tamper-proof. 

The BSP and the AAP had alleged that the machines used in the recent assembly elections were tampered with and favoured the BJP. Later, several other parties had joined the chorus and wanted the EC to revert to paper ballots.