- Colour candidate photos to cover 75% of the allotted photo space.
- Bold 30-point numerals for serial numbers and NOTA.
- Uniform font for all candidate names.
- 70 GSM paper; pink sheets for Assembly elections.
- First use in Bihar’s upcoming polls.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 17th Sept: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced new guidelines to make Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) ballot papers clearer and more voter-friendly.
Under the revised Rule 49B of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, candidate photographs will now appear in colour with the face occupying three-fourths of the photo space for better visibility. Serial numbers of candidates and NOTA will be printed in bold, 30-point international Indian numerals for easy reading.
All names, including NOTA, will use the same font type and size, ensuring uniformity. Ballot papers will be printed on 70 GSM paper, with pink sheets of specified RGB values for Assembly elections.
The upgraded design will debut in Bihar’s upcoming elections, marking the first time colour photographs of candidates will feature on EVM ballot papers. This change is part of 28 initiatives introduced in the last six months to simplify voting and enhance transparency.
