The Election Commission introduces bigger, colourful EVM ballot papers for Bihar polls to improve voter clarity and accessibility.
Imagine walking into the polling booth, pressing the EVM button, and finally being able to clearly see the candidate’s face without squinting like Sherlock Holmes on a bad eyesight day. Well, good news—your next ballot experience just got a glow-up.
The Election Commission (EC) has decided it’s time to upgrade, and the EVM ballot paper is now entering its high-definition era. From black-and-white simplicity to colourful clarity, this is more than a design change—it’s a small but powerful reform in the way India votes.
Democracy just got a fresh coat of paint—literally!
What’s New in the EVM Ballot Paper?
The EC’s new norms are all about visibility and accessibility. The changes include:
- Colour photographs of candidates will now take up three-fourths of the allotted photo space. This means no more guessing games when it comes to faded faces.
- International numerals for candidate serial numbers will be printed, ensuring consistency and easy recognition.
- Large font sizes for candidate names to improve readability.
- Pink-coloured paper with specific RGB values will be used for Assembly elections, while Parliament elections will use white paper.
- 70 GSM paper quality will be used for durability and clarity.
These upgrades may look cosmetic at first glance, but they are aimed at making voting simpler, clearer, and more voter-friendly—especially in a country where elections often see crores of voters across varied literacy levels and age groups.
Why Bihar First?
The first rollout of these colourful ballot papers will take place in Bihar assembly elections. Bihar has often been the testing ground for electoral reforms. For instance, earlier pilot runs for voter awareness campaigns and booth-level innovations were also flagged off in the state.
The EC believes that introducing new ballot papers in Bihar polls will provide practical insights before scaling it nationwide. With over 7 crore voters in the state, Bihar is an ideal testing ground to see how effective these upgrades are in real-world election conditions.
Why Does Colour Matter in Elections?
You may wonder—does colour on a ballot really make such a difference? The short answer: Yes.
- Clarity for Voters: Larger photos in colour reduce confusion, especially for first-time voters, elderly citizens, and those with low literacy.
- Preventing Mistakes: With clearer identification, the chances of pressing the wrong button reduce.
- Inclusivity: Better readability ensures no voter feels left out, regardless of age or ability.
- Transparency: Visible, easy-to-understand ballots strengthen trust in the election process.
Think of it this way—when we can’t survive online shopping without colourful product images, why should democracy lag behind with dull, unclear ballot slips?
A Step in a Larger Reform Journey
The EC mentioned that this initiative is part of a larger set of 28 reforms introduced in the past six months. These reforms are designed to make elections smoother, more transparent, and accessible.
According to the Election Commission’s official guidelines, these measures focus not just on ballot papers but also on:
- Booth accessibility
- Training for polling officers
- Use of technology for monitoring and counting
- Awareness campaigns to boost voter participation
Clearly, ballot redesign is only the tip of the iceberg in India’s evolving election management system.
The Practical Side: Printing and Design
The upgraded ballot papers will be printed on 70 GSM paper—a good balance of thickness, durability, and cost-effectiveness.
- Pink colour is reserved for Assembly polls, which will give a distinct identity to state elections.
- White colour will continue to be used for Parliamentary elections, keeping things simple.
This colour coding prevents mix-ups and helps polling staff and voters differentiate between types of elections quickly.
The Impact on Voters
For the voter, this change means a smoother, more confident voting experience. The improvements target common complaints like:
- “I couldn’t see the candidate’s photo clearly.”
- “The font was too small to read properly.”
- “The ballot paper looked too similar; I was confused.”
By addressing these, the EC hopes to enhance trust and participation in elections.
Critics and Concerns
No reform comes without its share of concerns. Opposition voices have raised questions like:
- Will printing costs increase significantly?
- Will colour photographs slow down the ballot preparation process?
- Is this a cosmetic change instead of addressing bigger election concerns like EVM hacking debates or voter roll errors?
While these are valid concerns, the EC maintains that clarity and accessibility are crucial for a robust democracy. Sometimes, it’s the small changes that add up to big impacts.
Global Perspective: How Other Countries Do It
Interestingly, ballot design has been a point of focus worldwide. For instance:
- In the U.S., ballots are often criticised for being too complex, leading to infamous “butterfly ballot” controversies.
- Many European countries have moved towards digital voting but still emphasize readability in design.
- Nations with high literacy rates still use colour-coded ballots for clarity.
India’s move towards brighter, bigger ballot papers shows its intention to stay ahead in ensuring ease of voting.
Why It Matters for Democracy
At the heart of the matter is one simple truth: if voters cannot easily recognise their candidates, then the system has failed them. Democracy thrives on clarity, trust, and accessibility.
These ballot paper reforms may look small, but they symbolize a larger commitment—making every voter’s experience smoother and error-free.
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What do you think about the EC’s new colourful ballot papers? Will they make voting easier, or is it just a cosmetic change?
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