SC rejects PIL to junk EVMs, return to ballot papers in future assembly and LS polls

The petitioner had contended that EVMs were prone to tampering and were thus not fit to be used in the interest of free and fair elections. It urged the court to intervene to bring back the old system of voting through ballot papers.

The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a PIL demanding junking the electronic voting machines (EVMs) and a return to the ballot papers in the future state Assembly and Lok Sabha elections, saying doubts would always be there with any system.

A petition demanding a return to ballot papers in future assembly and LS polls has been dismissed by the Supreme Court.(AFP Photo)

Dismissing the PIL filed by NGO Nyaya Bhoomi, Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, who was heading the three-judge bench that heard the matter, said: “Every machine is capable of being used and misused and doubts will be there with every system.”

The petitioner had contended that EVMs were prone to tampering and were thus not fit to be used in the interest of free and fair elections. It urged the court to intervene to bring back the old system of voting through ballot papers.

Despite the EC’s repeated assertions that its EVMs were tamper-proof, the clamour around the issue has refused to die down.