Let's return to paper ballots, Congress urges poll panel

New Delhi: The Congress on Saturday urged the Election Commission (EC) to revert to the old practice of paper ballots in future elections instead of electronic voting machines (EVMs). This is necessary as there are misgivings on "misuse" of EVMs to "manipulate the outcome contrary to popular verdict", the party said here during its 84th plenary session.

The Congress and other political parties have been alleging that EVMs were tampered during polls and demanding reintroduction of the ballot paper system of voting. The party called for reverting to the old practice of paper ballots, citing that it was adopted by other major democracies to help restore the credibility of the electoral process.

A resolution was also moved in this regard in the plenary session. In its resolution, the party said the BJP's move of simultaneous elections is "misplaced" and is "incompatible with the Constitution as also impractical". Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been pressing upon the idea of holding simultaneous elections to Parliament and state assemblies, contending that it will save money and time.

Addressing the plenary session, the Congress's new president, Rahul Gandhi, said that the country is in a way "fatigued" under the Narendra Modi dispensation and is looking for a way out and asserted that his party alone can show the path forward. He launched a scathing attack on the NDA government, accusing it of spreading hatred and anger, and failing to create jobs and address farm distress.

The Congress party alone can unite the country and show it the path forward, he said, adding that the difference between the ruling dispensation and his party was that while they spread anger and hatred, "we spread love and brotherhood".

Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi launched an all-out attack on PM Narendra Modi, saying that his pre-poll promises of combating corruption and ensuring inclusive development were "only dramebazi' and a trick to grab power. Gandhi gave a clarion call to party men to be ready for any kind of sacrifice to strengthen the party and to make the county free from discrimination, vendetta politics and arrogance.