EVM Ballot Papers Get a Makeover: Color Photos and Enhanced Readability for Voters, ECI Says

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has revised the rules governing EVM ballot papers, with a focus on enhancing clarity and voter experience. Under Rule 49B of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, the ECI has mandated the use of color photographs of candidates on the ballot papers. The candidate’s face will be prominently displayed, taking up a significant portion of the photo space to improve visibility. The new ballot papers will also feature candidate and NOTA serial numbers in the international form of Indian numerals. The font size for candidate names and other information will be 30, and in bold, for enhanced readability. These upgraded ballot papers will debut in the upcoming elections, starting with the Assembly polls in Bihar. The ECI indicated that this change is part of a larger initiative to modernize and streamline the election process, building on 28 other improvements implemented recently. The ballot papers will be printed on high-quality 70 GSM paper. For Assembly elections, pink-colored paper with specific RGB values will be used. The ECI also emphasized the importance of consistent formatting, mandating the same font type and size for all candidate and NOTA names.