The Election Fee of India (ECI) has revised pointers for the design and printing of Digital Voting Machine (EVM) poll papers to make them clearer and extra voter-friendly, the ballot physique stated in a press launch on Wednesday. The brand new format, launched underneath Rule 49B of the Conduct of Elections Guidelines, 1961, will debut within the upcoming Bihar Meeting elections.
Color pictures for clearer identification
The Election Fee of India (ECI) has stated that candidates’ pictures on poll papers will now be printed in color, with their faces masking three-fourths of the area to make them simpler for voters to recognise.
Uniform fonts and daring serial numbers
The ECI stated that serial numbers for candidates and the NOTA possibility shall be printed in daring, size-30 worldwide Indian numerals to enhance readability. Names of all candidates, in addition to NOTA, will seem in the identical font and measurement to maintain the record constant.
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Paper high quality, color coding
Poll papers shall be printed on 70 GSM paper. For Meeting elections, they are going to be printed on pink-coloured paper with specified RGB values for straightforward distinction.
A part of wider electoral reforms
The ballot physique stated the modifications are a part of 28 initiatives it has taken prior to now six months to streamline election processes and make voting extra handy.
Bihar first to undertake new format
The brand new design shall be used first in Bihar the place Meeting elections are scheduled later this yr. The ECI can be conducting a Particular Intensive Revision (SIR) of the state’s electoral roll to make sure all eligible voters are included.
Opposition questions voter record drive
The SIR has drawn criticism from the Opposition. Congress, RJD and different Mahagathbandhan allies alleged the train was rushed to profit the ruling BJP. They staged a ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’, whereas leaders together with Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav accused the ECI of performing underneath stress.

