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Jagan Reddy Pushes for Paper Ballots
Jagan Reddy Advocates Return to Ballot Papers
Introduction
YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has once again called for the reintroduction of paper ballots to ensure a transparent and trustworthy electoral process. His demand comes after the surprising Haryana Assembly election results, where exit polls had predicted a majority for the Congress, but the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) retained power for a third consecutive term. This unexpected outcome reignited debates on the efficacy of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), with Jagan Mohan Reddy emphasizing the need to return to paper ballots for the sake of democracy.
Calls to Reintroduce Paper Ballots
In response to the Haryana Assembly election results, Jagan Mohan Reddy reiterated his stance on the importance of bringing back paper ballots. He argued that in a democracy, not only should democracy prevail, but it should also be perceived as thriving by the electorate. According to him, the only way to ensure transparency and confidence in the voting process is by returning to paper ballots, which have been a proven method in several developed countries.
In a post on X, Jagan Reddy stated, “Democracy should not only be prevalent but also be seen to be thriving. The only way to ensure both is by going back to paper ballots.”
International Practices with Paper Ballots
Jagan Mohan Reddy emphasized that many developed nations, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Germany, and Japan, still rely on paper ballots to conduct elections. He highlighted that countries like Norway, Denmark, Switzerland, and New Zealand have also maintained paper ballots as their primary voting system. These nations, known for their strong democratic values, continue to use traditional voting methods to ensure that the electorate has complete trust in the electoral process.
He pointed out that India, as the largest democracy in the world, should align itself with these global practices to maintain faith in its electoral system. According to Reddy, adopting paper ballots will enhance the confidence of Indian voters and lawmakers should step forward to make this change possible.
Historical Stand on Paper Ballots
This is not the first time that Jagan Mohan Reddy has advocated for paper ballots. After his party, the YSR Congress, suffered a significant defeat in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly and Lok Sabha elections, he raised concerns about EVMs and their vulnerability to hacking. Reddy’s remarks sparked a national debate on the reliability of EVMs, with tech mogul Elon Musk also expressing doubts over their use in the Indian electoral process.
In June, after the Andhra Pradesh elections, Jagan Reddy remarked, “In electoral practices across the world in almost every advanced democracy, paper ballots are used, not EVMs. We too must move towards the same in upholding the true spirit of our democracy.”
Concerns About EVMs
Jagan Reddy’s renewed call to return to paper ballots coincides with concerns raised by several political leaders, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who labeled EVMs in India as “black boxes.” These comments reflect a broader apprehension about the transparency of EVMs in accurately representing the people’s will.
Many critics, including Reddy, believe that paper ballots offer a tangible, verifiable record of votes cast, which can be manually checked and recounted if necessary. This, they argue, would provide a more reliable method of ensuring the authenticity of election results.
Conclusion
Jagan Mohan Reddy’s call for bringing back paper ballots highlights ongoing concerns about the reliability of EVMs in India’s elections. By aligning with international practices and returning to traditional voting methods, Reddy believes that the confidence of Indian voters can be restored. As debates over EVMs continue, the possibility of reintroducing paper ballots remains a key discussion point for ensuring transparency in India’s democratic processes.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on public statements and media reports. The views expressed are those of Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and other political leaders. This article is for informational purposes and does not represent any legal or official position.
