Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has raised concerns about the credibility of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), stating that the Election Commission of India (ECI) should consider adopting paper ballots. In a statement, Jagan emphasized the importance of not just upholding democracy but also ensuring that it is perceived as prevalent. He pointed out that in many advanced democracies around the world, paper ballots are still used, and therefore India should also move in that direction to uphold the true spirit of its democracy.

Sharing his views on social media he posted “Just as justice should not only be served, but should also appear to have been served, so should democracy not only prevail but must appear to be prevalent undoubtedly. In electoral practices across the world, in almost every advanced democracy, paper ballots are used, not EVMs. We too must move towards the same in upholding the true spirit of our democracy.”

The recent state Assembly elections dealt a significant blow to Jagan's party, the YSR Congress. After winning a majority of 151 seats in 2019, the party could only secure 11 seats in the latest elections, resulting in their loss of power. Allegations of EVM manipulation by YSRCP supporters have surfaced in response to these results. In light of this, Jagan has echoed these concerns and advocated for the use of paper ballots in future elections.

The credibility and integrity of the electoral process are of utmost importance. Calls for the use of paper ballots have been made by various political figures in the past, with the aim of ensuring transparency and building trust in the democratic process. Whether or not India will make the transition to paper ballots is a decision that rests with the Election Commission and policymakers. It is essential to address these concerns and maintain public confidence in the electoral system.