EVM Ballot Papers to Feature Color Photographs of Candidates, Starting with Bihar Elections, Confirms ECI

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has updated guidelines under Rule 49B of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, concerning the design and printing of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) ballot papers. These changes aim to improve clarity and readability. The revised guidelines mandate the inclusion of color photographs of candidates on EVM ballot papers. The candidate’s face will occupy three-fourths of the photo space for better visibility. The serial numbers of candidates and NOTA (None of the Above) options will be printed using the international form of Indian numerals. The font size for candidate names and other information will be 30 and in bold to ensure easy readability. These upgraded EVM ballot papers are scheduled to be implemented in the upcoming elections, beginning with the Assembly polls in Bihar. The Election Commission stated that this initiative aligns with the 28 other improvements implemented in the past six months to streamline and enhance the voting process. The EVM ballot papers will be printed on 70 GSM paper. For Assembly Elections, pink-colored paper with specific RGB values will be used. To ensure consistency, the names of all candidates and the NOTA option will be printed using the same font type and size for optimal legibility.