Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has reignited the debate over the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in Indian elections, strongly advocating for a return to the traditional ballot paper system. Speaking at a party event, Kharge emphasized that EVMs have been a contentious issue, with several political parties and experts raising concerns about their credibility and vulnerability to tampering.
Source:- bbc News
Kharge argued that the use of ballot papers would ensure greater transparency and instill confidence among voters. He stated that ballot papers provide a verifiable and tangible method of voting, which can be easily cross-checked in case of disputes or recounts. This, he believes, is crucial in maintaining the integrity of the electoral process in the world’s largest democracy.
Source:- bbc news
Highlighting instances where EVMs have come under scrutiny, Kharge accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of benefiting from an alleged lack of transparency in elections conducted with EVMs. He cited various opposition parties’ demands for reverting to ballot papers and called for a broader consensus among political stakeholders to safeguard democratic principles.
The Congress chief also pointed out that several countries, including Germany and the Netherlands, have moved away from electronic voting systems due to concerns over their reliability. He urged the Election Commission of India to prioritize the will and trust of the people by addressing the apprehensions surrounding EVMs.
While the debate over EVMs versus ballot papers has persisted for years, Kharge’s remarks indicate that the issue is likely to be a significant point of contention in upcoming elections. The BJP and other proponents of EVMs, however, maintain that the machines are secure, efficient, and have undergone rigorous testing, dismissing allegations of tampering as unfounded.
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