Congress demands return to ballot papers amid EVM controversy

Before EVMs, elections used paper ballots prone to rigging. EVMs, first used in 1982, have strong security and prevent tampering.

- ALOK MEHTA

In the wake of significant electoral defeats, the Congress party is advocating for a return to ballot paper voting, expressing concerns over the reliability of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). During the Constitution Day event, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge questioned the efficacy of EVMs, stating, "Votes from SC, ST, OBC, and poor communities are being wasted." He announced plans for a nationwide campaign to reintroduce ballot papers, similar to the Bharat Jodo Yatra. Kharge further suggested that EVMs be stored in warehouses in Ahmedabad, asserting that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would realize its standing once elections revert to ballot papers. The Congress Working Committee has also decided to campaign against EVMs, aiming to involve other political parties in this initiative. Senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Sharad Pawar has directed his party's defeated candidates to gather evidence of alleged EVM tampering. Following this, Nana Patole announced that Congress would conduct a signature campaign across Maharashtra against EVMS, contending that votes were stolen and pledging to fight for ballot-based elections under LoP Rahul Gandhi's leadership.