Fact Check: Election Commission Did Not Announce Intention to Use Ballot Papers in Elections

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 28th March. A recent social media post claiming that the Election Commission of India (ECI) intends to conduct elections using ballot papers instead of electronic voting machines (EVMs) has been debunked. The post, which included a newspaper clipping purportedly outlining the ECI’s new guidelines, has been found to be false upon fact-checking.

Contrary to the claim made in the post, the Election Commission of India did not release any new guidelines indicating a shift to using ballot papers for elections. The official schedule for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections clearly states that the commission plans to conduct the elections using EVMs.

The post, which garnered attention on social media platforms, led to confusion among users regarding the electoral process. However, it has been clarified that there is no intention from the ECI to switch back to ballot papers for voting.

The authority of the Election Commission of India over the supervision and regulation of parliamentary elections, as enshrined in Article 324 of the Constitution of India, remains intact. Additionally, the use of EVMs is governed by the Representation of the People Act, 1951, amended in 1988 to introduce provisions for electronic voting.

Furthermore, the Supreme Court recently dismissed a plea advocating for the use of ballot papers in elections, reaffirming its confidence in the reliability of EVMs. This dismissal underscores the legal and procedural framework supporting the use of electronic voting technology in Indian elections.

In light of these clarifications, it is important to be vigilant against misinformation and rely on verified sources for accurate information regarding electoral processes. The Election Commission of India and other official channels have consistently affirmed their commitment to conducting free, fair, and transparent elections using established protocols and technologies.