From Our Bureau
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a petition by advocate CR Jaya Sukin to stop the use of the electronic voting machines (EVM) and instead use of the ballot paper in the elections.
A Bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud and Hima Kohli rejected the plea, challenging the dismissal of his plea by Delhi High Court in its judgment on August 3, 2021.
“That to save democracy, we must introduce the ballot paper system back in the electoral process in the country. Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) have replaced the old ballot paper system in India, although many countries of the world; including England, France, Germany, Netherlands, and the United States have banned the use of EVMs,” the petitioner said in his petitioner before Delhi High Court.
He had further added that Article 324 of the Constitution of India that elections conducted by the Election commission need free and fair, and reflect the will of the voters. The Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) must be replaced Across India with traditional ballot papers as voting through ballot papers 1s a more reliable and transparent method for the electoral process of any country, the lawyer said.
The lawyer, in its petition, had also said that developed countries like the US, Japan, Germany, and others have rejected EVMs during elections, and have chosen the ballot system of voting. “This should indicate that EVMs are not satisfactory instruments to be used for the electoral process of a country. EVMs can be hacked. But the ballot system extremely safe,” the petitioner said.
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