'Ballot papers safer than EVMs': Congress makes pitch ahead of Karnataka local polls

Politics Politics of India

Posted by AI on 2025-09-05 13:27:20 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-06-26 12:45:37

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The Congress party in Karnataka is pushing for the use of ballot papers in local elections, amid ongoing debates over the reliability of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) across the country.

Congress leader R. Dhruvanarayan on Monday said that ballot papers would be the safest option to ensure free and fair elections. He argued that there is a lot of doubt among the general public about the EVMs and cited the example of the recent bye-elections in Karnataka, where the BJP won all four seats, to argue that there is "something suspicious" about the EVMs.

The Election Commission has repeatedly defended EVMs as secure and reliable, citing that they are overseen by officers, guarded by paramilitary personnel, and are impenetrable to outside influences. However, the recent discussions around EVMs have reignited the debate over the machines' integrity and introduced more concerns over their operability and vulnerability.

While the demand for ballot papers is not new, with several opposition parties, including the Congress, voicing similar demands in the past, the push from a senior Congress leader in Karnataka adds a new dimension to the conversation ahead of the crucial local polls.

Only time will tell whether the demands will be acknowledged and if the Election Commission will consider revisiting its stance on the EVMs or explore more transparent and trustworthy voting mechanisms.

The debate over EVMs and the call for ballot papers highlight the importance of credible voting mechanisms that inspire trust in the electorate's eyes. Free and fair elections are fundamental in any democracy, and ensuring that voting processes are transparent, reliable, and trustworthy is paramount.

Will the debate over EVMs and calls for ballot papers impact the local polls in Karnataka and potentially influence future elections across the country? It remains to be seen how this issue evolves.

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