Tue Nov 26 08:17:06 UTC 2024: **Supreme Court Dismisses Challenge to India’s Electronic Voting Machines**
NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court of India dismissed a petition on Tuesday challenging the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in national elections. The petitioner, evangelist K.A. Paul, argued for a return to paper ballots, citing concerns about EVM tampering.
Justice Vikram Nath, in dismissing the petition, noted a perceived hypocrisy in EVM criticism, stating that concerns about tampering only arise when a candidate loses. The court pointed to a previous April 2024 ruling upholding the EVM system, citing the vast size of the Indian electorate and the logistical challenges of returning to paper ballots. The court also highlighted the Election Commission of India’s assurances that EVMs are secure and tamper-proof, a claim supported by a detailed affidavit submitted in September 2023.
Mr. Paul’s petition also called for the disqualification of candidates found distributing bribes during elections. While acknowledging these concerns, the court ultimately dismissed the petition, concluding that the benefits of the EVM system outweigh the alleged risks. The court further questioned whether the petition was attempting to politicize the judicial process.
First Piper 