Punjab municipal elections: PIL filed in High Court demands EVM voting instead of ballot papers

PTC Web Desk: A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking directions to conduct the upcoming Punjab municipal elections through Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) instead of ballot papers.

The petition has been filed by Mohali-based advocate Ruchika Garg, who argued that the use of EVMs would help ensure free, fair and transparent elections in the state.

During the hearing, the petitioner contended that conducting elections through EVMs would minimise the chances of alleged rigging, malpractice and booth capturing. The plea further stated that EVM-based polling would not only speed up the counting process and declaration of results but would also help save paper on a large scale.

The petitioner questioned why the Punjab municipal elections are still being conducted through ballot papers when Lok Sabha, Assembly and several other elections across the country are now held using EVMs.

The Punjab Government opposed the plea during the hearing. However, the Punjab and Haryana High Court observed that the municipal elections are conducted by the Punjab State Election Commission and not directly by the state government. The court remarked that the decision regarding the mode of voting would fall within the domain of the State Election Commission.

During the proceedings, counsel appearing for the Punjab State Election Commission informed the court that EVMs had been sought from the Election Commission of India, but the machines were not provided.

Responding to the submission, the Election Commission of India stated that arrangements for EVMs for such elections are to be made by the respective State Election Commission.

The High Court has now adjourned the matter till Wednesday and directed both the Election Commission of India and the Punjab State Election Commission to file their responses in the case.