In a session marked by sharp observations, the Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition seeking to replace Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with ballot papers in Indian elections. The petition, filed by KA Paul, highlighted allegations of EVM tampering by political leaders and sought electoral reforms, but the bench found the arguments unpersuasive.
Supreme Court’s Remarks
A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and PB Varale humorously questioned Paul’s innovative suggestions, asking, “How do you get these brilliant ideas?” They noted that concerns over EVMs seemed to arise selectively depending on election outcomes.
“When Chandrababu Naidu or Mr. Reddy lose, they claim EVMs are tampered. But when they win, they don’t raise the issue. How can we see this? We are dismissing this. This is not the place where you argue all of this,” the bench remarked.
Petitioner’s Arguments
KA Paul, who is the president of an organization that claims to have rescued over 3 lakh orphans and 40 lakh widows, argued that EVMs posed a threat to democracy. He suggested India should emulate countries like the United States, which use paper ballots. Paul also claimed that figures such as Elon Musk had raised concerns over EVM tampering.
Additionally, he sought a directive to disqualify candidates found guilty of distributing money, liquor, or other inducements to voters during polls for at least five years.
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The bench questioned why Paul, known for his social work, was delving into political matters. “Why are you getting into this political arena? Your area of work is very different,” they remarked.
Election Commission Defends EVMs
The debate over EVMs is not new. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar recently defended their use while announcing poll dates for Maharashtra and Jharkhand. Kumar emphasized that EVMs are secure and that transparency in India’s electoral process is unparalleled.
“How many times do we need to explain? Tell me one comparative process anywhere in the world with as much public disclosure and participation,” the CEC asserted, reiterating the robustness of India’s election infrastructure.
The Verdict
The Supreme Court’s dismissal of the petition underscores the judiciary’s reluctance to entertain claims of EVM tampering without concrete evidence. The remarks also reflect a broader fatigue with allegations that often resurface after unfavorable election results, casting doubts on the credibility of the electoral process.
