Wed Sep 17 16:01:13 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a rewritten news article based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced revised guidelines for Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) ballot papers, set to be implemented starting with the upcoming Bihar Assembly election. The changes include displaying color photographs of candidates (with their faces occupying three-fourths of the photo space), prominently displaying candidate serial numbers in a larger, bold font, and using pink-colored paper for Assembly elections. The goal is to enhance clarity and readability for voters. Specific guidelines are also provided regarding the layout, size, and printing of the ballot papers, prioritizing government printing presses whenever possible.

**News Article:**

**Color Photos, Bold Numbers to Grace Bihar EVM Ballot Papers**

**NEW DELHI, September 17, 2025** – Voters heading to the polls for the upcoming Bihar Assembly election will notice a significant change in the look of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) ballot papers. The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced today that it is introducing revised guidelines, including the use of color photographs of candidates and more prominent display of candidate serial numbers.

“The upgraded EVM Ballot Papers will be used in the upcoming elections, starting with Bihar,” the ECI stated in an official release.

The new guidelines, issued under Rule 49B of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, mandate that each candidate’s photo will be displayed in color, occupying three-fourths of the photo space for better visibility. In cases where a candidate provides only black and white photographs, those will be used. The serial numbers of the candidates, including the “None of the Above” (NOTA) option, will be printed in the international form of Indian numerals in a larger, bold font size of 30 for increased clarity.

For Assembly elections, the ballot papers will be printed on pink-colored paper with specified RGB values. The guidelines also detail the layout of the ballot, stipulating that no more than 15 candidates’ names should appear on a single sheet, with NOTA placed after the final candidate.

The ECI has instructed Chief Electoral Officers of all States and Union Territories to ensure that the photographs are printed in color unless the candidate has not provided one. The guidelines also prioritize the printing of the ballot papers at government or semi-government printing presses, resorting to private presses only when necessary and under strict security measures.

These changes are intended to improve clarity and readability of the ballot papers, making the voting process easier and more accessible for all citizens. The ECI hopes that these changes will empower voters to make more informed decisions.

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