Voters’ views divided on choice of EVMs & ballot papers for polling
Amid the ongoing controversy over the authenticity of EVM machines as polling for the panchayat elections is being held through ballot papers, the opinion of voters is divided on whether ballot papers are more reliable or EVMs? While casting votes using ballot papers is more time consuming than EVMs, many villagers believe ballot papers are more secure. Paramjit Singh from Khurmania village said, “Machines can be manipulated, but no one can ever change stamps marked on ballot papers.”
Though voters have the opportunity to use both methods to exercise their franchise in different elections, they are able to make comparisons well. In General Elections, they had used EVM machines and now in panchayat elections, they are casting votes with ballot papers.
Others like Baldev Singh from Bhittewad village argue that EVMs are more efficient. “EVM is better than ballot papers as a voter takes only one or two minutes to cast his vote,” he says. With EVMs, voters simply press a button, hear a beep, and their vote is recorded. In contrast, using ballot paper requires reviewing candidates, making choices, folding and submitting the paper, making it a more tedious process. People have to stand in queues for long,” said Baldev Singh.
“I advocate the use of ballot papers for voting process in all the elections, not just panchayats. There is a section in society that always suspects that the ruling party is manipulating the results. Even in the recent Haryana assembly elections, there were voices alleging misuse of EVMs. We can count the ballot papers any time someone has doubts about counting,” said Ravinder Singh of village Mahal.
