Supreme Court Dismisses PIL Seeking Return to Ballot Paper Voting
Bengaluru, Nov. 26: The Supreme Court today dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking the reinstatement of the ballot paper voting system in place of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
A division bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice P.B. Varale rejected the petition filed by Dr. K.A. Paul, affirming the continued use of EVMs in elections.
Addressing the petitioner’s claims, the bench noted the tendency of political leaders to allege EVM tampering when they lose elections while raising no objections when they win. Referring to past elections in Andhra Pradesh, where similar allegations were made by leaders such as Chandrababu Naidu and Jagan Mohan Reddy, the judges emphasized that such arguments lack merit and do not belong in court.
Dr. Paul’s petition also included several other demands, such as banning candidates proven to have offered money or liquor to voters, initiating voter education programs to increase participation, and establishing mechanisms to monitor political party funding and prevent election-related violence. However, the bench dismissed these requests, stating that the existing political system does not have issues with EVMs and reiterating that the courtroom was not the appropriate forum for such grievances.
In its ruling, the court dismissed the PIL in its entirety, reinforcing the credibility and validity of the EVM-based voting system.
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