‘EVMs fine if you win, tampered with if you lose’: SC rejects plea to return to voting | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a plea seeking a return to ballot papers in lieu 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 observed, “When Chandrababu Naidu or Mr. Reddy lost, they said that there was tampering with EVMs tampered and when they won, they didn’t say anything. How can we see this? We reject this.
Petitioner KA Paul referred to comments made by Elon Musk, who had suggested that EVMs could be tampered with.
He also said that he had visited more than 150 countries and most other countries had introduced ballot voting and argued that India should follow the same approach.
“Why don’t you want to be different from the rest of the world?” the bench asked.
The petitioner also requested the formulation of a comprehensive framework to regulate the use of money and liquor during election campaigns to ensure that such practices are prohibited and punishable by law.
Furthermore, the plea sought guidance for a widespread voter education campaign to raise awareness about the importance of informed decision-making.
The Congress has raised concerns over the election process and use of EVMs in general elections and recently concluded assembly elections in Haryana and Maharashtra, which it lost.
The election commission rejected all allegations and said there was no evidence to suggest any compromise in legal election procedures.