Union Minister for Food, Public Distribution, and Consumer Affairs Pralhad Joshi criticized the Congress-led Karnataka government for choosing ballot papers instead of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in elections. Joshi expressed disappointment, calling the decision regressive and against modernity and technology. He highlighted the benefits of EVMs in curbing electoral malpractices and accused the state government of reverting to outdated practices to please party leadership.
The Karnataka government’s move to use ballot papers in upcoming local body polls has sparked controversy. Minister for Law H.K. Patil announced plans to recommend legal amendments for conducting elections through ballot papers, citing discrepancies in the voters’ list and declining trust in EVMs. The decision has drawn criticism from the BJP, with accusations of electoral fraud against the Congress-led government in Karnataka.
The shift from EVMs to ballot papers has raised concerns about electoral integrity and transparency in Karnataka. While the state government justifies the decision based on public sentiment and reliability issues with EVMs, opposition parties view it as a step backward in electoral processes. The debate over the choice of voting mechanism continues amidst allegations and counterclaims regarding electoral practices and voter lists.
