On November 26, 2024, the Supreme Court of India dismissed a petition that sought to revert the country’s election process to traditional ballot paper voting. The petition also called for various directives, including disqualifying candidates for at least five years if proven guilty of offering money, liquor, or other inducements to voters. A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and PB Varale rejected the petition, citing inconsistencies in accusations regarding electronic voting machines (EVMs). The bench humorously questioned the petitioner, KL Paul, about his motivation, noting that he usually works in a different field, having helped over three lakh orphans and 40 lakh widows.
Paul’s argument referenced statements from international figures like Elon Musk, and Indian political leaders such as Andhra Pradesh’s Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, who have previously claimed EVMs could be tampered with. The justices pointed out the recurring pattern of EVM tampering allegations surfacing after electoral losses, humorously implying selective accusations based on election results.
Earlier, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge expressed concerns over EVM tampering and advocated for reinstating the ballot paper system. After a significant win for the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance in the Maharashtra assembly elections, which dealt a blow to the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi, claims of EVM tampering emerged from the opposition. The BJP and its allies secured a total of 230 seats, while Congress managed only 16 seats as part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition. The Supreme Court’s decision highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the reliability and transparency of EVMs in India’s electoral process.
Original Story https://www.news18.com/india/when-you-lose-evms-are-tampered-sc-dismisses-plea-seeking-polls-via-ballot-paper-9134784.html
Category :
Tags:
