'EVMs fine when you win, tampered when you lose': SC rejects plea for reverting to ballots

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected petition seeking to revert to ballot papers instead of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) during elections in the country.

As the petitioner pointed out that even prominent leaders like Chandrababu Naidu and YS Jagan Mohan Reddy had raised concerns about tampering with EVMs, the SC bench remarked, "When Chandrababu Naidu or Mr Reddy lost, they said that EVMs were tampered and when they won, they didn't say anything. How can we see this? We are dismissing this. This is not the place where you argue all of this."

Petitioner KA Paul referenced Elon Musk's remarks who had suggested that EVMs could be tampered with.

He also mentioned that he had visited over 150 countries and most foreign countries had adopted ballot paper voting and argued that India should follow the same approach.

"Why you don't want to be different from the rest of the world?" asked the bench.

The petitioner also requested the formulation of a comprehensive framework to regulate the use of money and liquor during election campaigns, ensuring that such practices are prohibited and punishable under the law.

Additionally, the plea sought a directive for a widespread voter education campaign to raise awareness about the importance of informed decision-making.

Congress has raised concerns regarding the electoral process and the use of EVMs in General Elections and recently concluded assembly polls in Haryana and Maharashtra, which it lost.

The Election Commission dismissed all allegations saying that there was no evidence to suggest any compromise in the statutory electoral procedures.