Patna (Bihar) [India]: Former Bihar Chief Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav has called for the replacement of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with ballot papers in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.
“Our party will win the Bihar elections to be held next year. We will get the majority. The elections should be conducted using ballot papers,” Lalu Yadav stated. The Bihar Assembly elections are anticipated in October-November 2025.
Opposition Criticism of EVMs
Lalu Yadav’s remarks follow growing concerns over EVMs, particularly after the Maharashtra Assembly elections, where the BJP and its allies secured a decisive victory.
On November 26, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also voiced opposition to EVMs, alleging that votes from SC, ST, OBC, and poor communities were being overlooked.
“Votes of people from SC, ST, OBC, and poor communities are being wasted. Set aside EVMs. We do not want EVMs; we want voting on ballot paper… Let them keep the machine at their home, at the home of PM Modi or Amit Shah… Then we would know where you (BJP-NDA) stand,” Kharge remarked during the Constitution Day program in New Delhi.
Concerns Post Maharashtra Elections
The opposition, including senior Congress leaders like Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, Digvijaya Singh, and others, has raised questions about the BJP’s landslide win in Maharashtra.
- The BJP won 132 seats in the 280-member Maharashtra Assembly, alongside its allies, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena (57 seats) and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction (41 seats).
- In contrast, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (comprising Congress, Shiv Sena [UBT], and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP faction) managed only 46 seats.
Some leaders allege targeted manipulation of polling booths through EVMs.
Supreme Court’s Stand on EVMs
The Supreme Court recently dismissed a PIL petition seeking the return of paper ballot voting in elections, reaffirming its stance on the reliability and efficiency of EVMs.
Conclusion
Lalu Yadav’s demand adds momentum to the growing debate over election integrity and the use of EVMs in India. With opposition leaders across states voicing similar concerns, the issue is likely to shape political narratives in the lead-up to the Bihar Assembly elections.