Delhi High Court To Hear Plea For Replacing EVMs With Ballot Papers In All Forthcoming Elections, On August 3

The Delhi High Court on Friday adjourned to August 3 the plea seeking directions on the Election Commission of India to stop using electronic voting machines (EVMs) and use ballot papers instead, in all forthcoming elections. A division bench comprising of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh adjourned the matter after Advocate CR Jaya Sukin, appearing as petitioner in person, was not audible to the Court due to some connectivity issues. "In view of giving one more chance to petitioner, matter is adjourned on August 3," the Bench ordered. Moved by Advocate CR Jaya Sukin, the plea states that the use of ballot papers must be brought back in India's electoral process in order to "save the democracy." Stating that the elections reflect the will of voters, the plea avers that EVMs must be replaced across India with traditional ballot papers as the same is more reliable and a transparent electoral process. Highlighting various reasons as to the threats involved in the use of EVMs, the plea states that there is a chance of hacking of EVM machines and that the compete profile of the voter can be accessed through such machines. It has also been averred that EVMs can be used to tamper with the elections and that the election software of such machines can be changed. "That India possesses the biggest democracy in the world and the most powerful weapon the Indian people have; is their power to Vote. Election in India is the righteous time to make the best use of this power because this is the time when the people of the country can express their collective will. People are the true tyrants that can govern the country by democratically electing the representatives to Parliament and State Legislatures besides the other democratic institutions at the lower levels," the plea states.During the course of hearing, ASG Chetan Sharma apprised the Bench that a bunch of petitions concerning the same issues were decided and disposed of by the Supreme Court. Advocate Sidhant Kumar appearing on behalf of Election Commission of India also submitted that the same issue has been decided by four different High Courts. However, the Bench granted one chance to the petitioner to argue the case before the Court and accordingly adjourned the matter to August 3. Case Title: CR Jaya Sukin v. ECI & Ors

Delhi High Court To Hear Plea For Replacing EVMs With Ballot Papers In All Forthcoming Elections, On August 3

Nupur Thapliyal

Tags