Congress MP Manish Tewari Advocates for Paper Ballots in Indian Elections
On October 30, Congress MP Manish Tewari expressed his concerns about the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in Indian elections. He urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to consider reverting to paper ballots, emphasizing that democracy is too valuable to rely solely on technology. Tewari highlighted that many countries have returned to paper ballots, suggesting India should follow suit.
The ECI recently dismissed Congress’s claims of irregularities in the Haryana elections, calling them “baseless” and “devoid of facts.” The Commission advised Congress to avoid making unfounded allegations, warning that such claims could incite public unrest during sensitive times like elections.
Tewari also questioned the battery life of EVMs, finding it improbable that a machine could maintain 99% battery after a full day of use. He raised doubts about the reliability of EVMs in the electoral process.
In response, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Tarun Chugh criticized Congress, describing it as a “sinking ship” that blames EVMs for electoral losses. Chugh noted that Congress accepts EVMs when they win elections but criticizes them when they lose.
Doubts Revealed
Congress MP -: A Congress MP is a Member of Parliament from the Congress party, which is one of the major political parties in India. MPs are elected to represent the people in the Parliament.
Manish Tewari -: Manish Tewari is a politician from the Congress party in India. He is known for his role as a Member of Parliament and has been involved in various political discussions and debates.
Paper Ballots -: Paper ballots are pieces of paper used for voting. Voters mark their choice on the paper, and it is then counted manually. This is an older method compared to electronic voting.
Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) -: EVMs are machines used to record votes electronically during elections. They are used in India to make the voting process faster and to reduce errors in counting.
Election Commission of India (ECI) -: The ECI is a government body responsible for conducting free and fair elections in India. It ensures that elections are held smoothly and according to the rules.
Haryana elections -: Haryana elections refer to the elections held in the state of Haryana, India, to choose representatives for the state government or Parliament.
BJP -: BJP stands for Bharatiya Janata Party, which is another major political party in India. It is often in competition with the Congress party during elections.
Tarun Chugh -: Tarun Chugh is a leader from the BJP. He is involved in political activities and often speaks on behalf of his party.
