Jharkhand Civic Poll Results Throw New Twist in EVM vs Ballot Paper Debate

BENGALURU: The debate over EVMs (electronic voting machines) versus ballot papers has been raging for quite some time across the country. While opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, continue to question EVMs, the Jharkhand civic poll results have given a new and startling twist to the debate. Though these elections were held through ballot papers in Jharkhand, the'India'alliance and especially the Congress have suffered a crushing defeat. These results have weakened the opposition's claim that the main reason for their defeat is only EVMs છે.ઝારખંડ BJP-backed candidates have won 12 seats out of a total of 48 seats in the municipal elections, while JMM-backed candidates have won 6 and Congress-backed candidates have won only 2 seats. Ballot paper voting has also not been seen anywhere in the Congress race. These results are now having a direct impact on the politics of Karnataka, where Chief Minister Siddharamaiah's government has decided to bring transparency in the upcoming panchayat elections.