Pune: A city-based youth has been arrested by Shimla police for allegedly sending messages to aspiring politicians in Himachal Pradesh (HP) that he can hack electronic voting machines (EVM) and help them win HP assembly elections. He had quoted Rs 10 lakh for his services. Cops are yet to find out how many politicians were duped by him. 

After some candidates complained to the Election Commission (EC), an FIR was registered with Shimla police. The elections were held on November 9 and the results are awaited. Police have identified the arrested youth as Sachin Rathod, who studies in a reputed college on FC Road and resides in Nanded City. He is preparing for the civil services exams also, police said.

According to police, the accused sent messages and called some of the candidates and claimed that he can program the EVMs in such a manner that all votes will go to them. Police said that he had used four different phone numbers to contact the candidates.