Mayawati demands return to ballot papers over EVM concerns

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati has called for the immediate cessation of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) usage and the restoration of the traditional ballot paper system. Speaking at a press conference, Mayawati argued that doubts regarding whether votes are being diverted or miscounted undermine public confidence in the democratic process.

She stated that for democracy to function, voters must have absolute certainty that their votes are counted for their chosen candidate, describing any doubt as a potential ‘murder of democracy’. Mayawati noted that while the country used ballot papers for nearly five decades, the current system has sparked political debate regarding the neutrality and functioning of the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Mayawati also highlighted a perceived political inconsistency, noting that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) previously opposed EVMs when the Congress party was in power, yet has continued to use them since forming the central government. These remarks coincide with ongoing political scrutiny regarding the ECI and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.