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ECI Revamps EVM Ballot Paper Design
What’s the News?
- The Election Commission of India (ECI) has revised guidelines under Rule 49B of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961 for designing and printing EVM ballot papers to improve usability and clarity.
- These changes will be implemented starting with the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.
Redesigned Ballot Paper Features
- Colour Photographs:
- Candidate photos will be printed in colour, with the face occupying three-fourths of the photo space for better visibility.
- Aims to reduce confusion in constituencies with candidates having similar names or phonetic similarities.
- Uniform Font and Size:
- Names of all candidates and NOTA (None of the Above) will be printed in the same font type and a large, uniform size (bold 30-point font) for readability.
- Serial numbers and NOTA option will use international form of Indian numerals for consistency.
- Enhanced Paper Quality:
- Ballot papers will be printed on 70 GSM paper for durability.
- For Assembly elections, pink-coloured paper with specified RGB values will be used for easy recognition by voters and polling staff.
- Structural Layout:
- Names of not more than 15 candidates shall be arranged on one ballot sheet, with NOTA as the last option.
Additional Info
- EVMs in India:
- The first use of EVMs in a general election was in 2004 for all 543 Parliamentary Constituencies.
- EVMs are developed by two state-owned public sector undertakings: Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL).
- The latest generation of EVMs is known as M3 EVMs.
- Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT):
- Introduced to enhance the transparency and verifiability of the voting process.
- A VVPAT machine, attached to the EVM, prints a paper slip containing the name, serial number, and symbol of the candidate for whom a vote was cast. The slip is visible to the voter for about seven seconds before it drops into a sealed box.
- The Supreme Court has mandated the use of VVPATs in all elections to ensure voter confidence and auditability.
- Constitutional Articles:
- Article 324: Vests the power of superintendence, direction, and control of the preparation of electoral rolls and the conduct of elections in the Election Commission of India.