Will consider use of paper ballots instead of EVMs in future elections: BJP

NEW DELHI: BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav on Saturday has said that the party is open to discussions on reverting to the old practice of paper ballot, instead of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), in future elections if there was consensus among other parties on the matter.

The change in tack came on a day the opposition’s suspicions about “malfunctioning EVMs” urged the Election Commission to reintroduce paper ballots in future elections.

Speaking to ANI, Ram Madhav told, “I would like to remind Congress that the decision to shift from paper ballots to EVMs was taken because of a larger consensus. Now today, if every party think that we should return to paper ballots again, after due discussion, we can consider.”

Citing apprehensions on the misuse of the electronic voting machine (EVMs), the Congress on Saturday said that the Election Commission should revert to the old practice of paper ballot and slammed BJP’s move for simultaneous elections.

The political resolution, adopted at the party’s plenary here, underscored the need for ensuring free and fair elections to retain people’s faith in the integrity of the electoral system.

“There are apprehensions among the Political Parties and the people over the misuse of EVMs to manipulate the outcome contrary to the popular verdict.

“To ensure the credibility of the electoral process, the Election Commission should revert to the old practice of paper ballot, as most major democracies have done,” it said.

IANS inputs