Election Commission of India (ECI) has released new rules for EVM Ballot Papers, starting with the upcoming Bihar elections. For the first time, candidate photographs will be printed in color on the ballot paper, and serial numbers will be made more clear and easy to read.
This move is part of ECI’s recent efforts to improve voting convenience and make the ballot papers more user-friendly. In the last six months, ECI has already started more than 28 changes to simplify the election process, and this update is seen as another big step.
The aim of these new rules is simple – help voters identify candidates easily and avoid confusion inside the polling booth. With bigger photos, bold serial numbers, and clear font for names, the ballot papers will now be more visible and readable.
Let’s look at the key changes in detail.
Key Changes in New EVM Ballot Paper Rules
Color Photos of Candidates
From now onwards, ballot papers will carry colored photos of all candidates. The photo size has been increased, where the candidate’s face will cover almost three-fourths of the given space. This is to make sure voters can easily recognize the candidate.
Serial Number Made Bigger and Clearer
Serial numbers of all candidates and NOTA option will be printed in bold with font size 30. These numbers will follow the international style of Indian numerals, so voters will not face any issue while reading them.
Uniform Font for Candidate Names
To avoid mismatch, names of all candidates and NOTA will be printed in the same font and large size. This ensures voters can quickly read names without confusion.
Stronger Paper Quality
Ballot papers will now be printed on 70 GSM paper, which is stronger and lasts longer. For Assembly Elections, ECI will use pink coloured paper with specific RGB shades for uniformity.
Implementation in Bihar First
The updated EVM Ballot Papers will first be used in the Bihar elections. Later, these rules will be applied across India in the upcoming elections.
Highlights of New EVM Ballot Paper Rules
Here are the important points voters should know about these new ballot papers:
- Color photographs of candidates will be printed for the first time on ballot papers for better identification.
- Serial numbers will be displayed more prominently in bold with size 30 fonts.
- All names will appear in the same font style and large size for uniform readability.
- Ballot papers will be printed on 70 GSM paper, while pink paper will be used for Assembly Elections.
- New rules will be applied from Bihar elections and then expanded nationwide.
FAQ
Will these new rules apply only in Bihar?
No, Bihar is the first state where they will be used, but later these rules will be implemented across India.
Why is ECI adding colored photos?
Colored photos help voters easily identify candidates, reduce mistakes, and make ballot papers more voter-friendly.
What is special about the paper quality?
ECI has chosen 70 GSM paper which is stronger and more durable. For Assembly elections, pink-colored sheets will be used for better identification.