Election Commission Rolls Out New EVM Ballot Design for Bihar Polls
The Election Commission of India (ECI) is shaking things up to make voting easier and more transparent. They’ve just updated their rules under the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, with a fresh look for EVM ballot papers. This change aims to help voters spot candidates quickly and cut down on confusion, especially during the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.
Picture this: Each ballot paper will now include color photos of candidates, where their faces take up three-fourths of the space. No more squinting to recognize someone! Names will pop in bold letters with a 30-point font size, and serial numbers (including the NOTA option) will use the standard international Indian numerals for clarity.
This new EVM ballot paper design kicks off in the Bihar elections before rolling out to other state and national polls. The ECI calls it one of their 28 big moves in the last six months to boost the entire electoral process.
For assembly elections like Bihar’s, the paper will be pink, printed on sturdy 70 GSM stock with specific RGB colors to keep everything uniform. Photos stay in full color and get enlarged, while names use a bold typeface that’s super easy to read.
To keep things secure, the ECI wants these ballot papers printed at government or semi-government presses. If they can’t handle the load, private ones can step in—but only after proper checks and with tight security in place.
The guidelines go out to all District Election Officers, Returning Officers, and other officials, who must follow them to the letter. Officials say this tweak will make voting smoother, build more trust in the system, and help everyone—especially elderly and less literate voters—pick candidates without hassle.
With the high-stakes Bihar Assembly elections just weeks away, this redesign feels like a timely win for voter convenience and transparency in Indian elections. It’s all about making democracy simpler and more accessible for you and me.
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