No Proposal To Go Back To Ballot Papers For Voting: Govt

Since 2014 when Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister of India, the Opposition has repeatedly alleged electronic voting machines (EVMs) to be hacked or tampered.

Outlook Web Desk

Updated on: 11 August 2023 5:39 pm

A demonstration on the use of EVM and VVPAT

The Centre on Friday informed the Lok Sabha that there is no proposal to go back to ballot papers for voting in elections.?

Since 2004, all state assembly elections and general elections have been conducted through electronic voting machines (EVMs).?

The Centre's response comes at a time when the Opposition is alleging that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) could 'hack' EVMs in the 2024 general elections. Since 2014 when Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister of India, the Opposition has repeatedly alleged EVMs to be hacked or tampered.?

In a written response to a questioned, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said the Election Commission has informed that some representations have been received regarding the reintroduction of the ballot system, but there is no proposal to revert to the ballot system.

Meghwal said the EC has been conducting elections using EVMs since 1982 and the use of Electronic Voting Machine and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail machines is legally sanctioned by Parliament in the form of clear provisions in the Representation of the People Act 1951, reported PTI.

Meghwal further said the law on the use of EVMs has also been subjected to judicial reviews in a number of cases up to the level of the Supreme Court, reported PTI.