Many countries have chosen not to use electronic voting systems, prioritising voter confidence over convenience, the veteran leader said
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — In a strong statement reflecting scepticism towards the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge reiterated his demand to revert to the use of ballot papers for elections.
Speaking at the Constitution Day program in the national capital, Kharge voiced concerns over the transparency and reliability of EVMs, which have been a contentious topic in the country’s electoral politics.
Kharge alleged that EVMs undermine the democratic process, as doubts persist about their susceptibility to tampering and technical glitches. “In a democracy, the people’s trust is paramount. If there are concerns over the fairness of elections, it is our duty to address them,” he stated.
The Congress leader further emphasised that ballot papers, though considered outdated by some, offer a more transparent and foolproof mechanism for conducting elections. He pointed out that many countries have chosen not to use electronic voting systems, prioritising voter confidence over convenience.
“Let them keep EVMs with them. We don’t want EVMs, we want to vote on ballot paper. Then they will know what their position is and where they stand,” Kharge said referring to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Ironically, the demand comes on the same day the Supreme Court dismissed a petition seeking to go back to ballot paper voting in elections in the country, saying allegations of tampering with voting machines are raked up only when people lose polls.
The Congress president also called for a campaign on the scale of Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra for a return to the ballot paper.
“From our party, we should start this campaign to make everyone aware that they should want ballot paper back. We will speak to other political parties also,” Kharge said, urging Rahul Gandhi to launch a movement, reports NDTV.
Kharge’s remarks align with a longstanding demand by opposition parties, which have repeatedly questioned the credibility of EVMs. These parties have called for the reintroduction of ballot papers to ensure free and fair elections.
EVMs were introduced in Indian elections in the late 1990s to streamline the voting process. Despite their widespread adoption, controversies over their reliability have persisted, particularly in the wake of allegations of malfunctioning and tampering during recent elections.
