INDIA Bloc Finalizes Joint Action Plan for October 6 Election Commission March, Demanding Return to Paper Ballots

The INDIA opposition alliance has finalized a joint action plan to march to the Election Commission of India on October 6, demanding a complete return to paper ballots over electronic voting machines. Led by Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi alongside BSP chief Mayawati, opposition leaders allege systemic vote manipulation and VVPAT limitations threaten democratic integrity. However, despite raising serious concerns about EVMs, opposition parties are expected to participate in upcoming assembly elections using the current electronic system.

RMN News Political Desk
New Delhi | October 3, 2026

Opposition political parties across India have unified behind a direct demand to scrap Electronic Voting Machines and return to the traditional paper ballot system for all future elections. As part of a coordinated campaign against alleged vote manipulation, the INDIA alliance has finalized a joint action plan culminating in a protest march to the Election Commission of India on October 6.

Total Consensus on Reverting to Ballot Papers

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge stated that all participating alliance parties reached a complete hundred percent agreement that elections must be conducted strictly using ballot papers rather than EVMs. Kharge emphasized that the opposition coalition demands the annulment of electoral laws framed by the governing administration, asserting that public confidence in the electoral framework requires a transparent voting mechanism.

This initiative follows a similar stance taken by Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati, who urged the Election Commission of India to abolish EVMs and reinstate paper ballots. Mayawati raised concerns following serious allegations of machine manipulation in a Lok Sabha constituency, warning that persistent doubts regarding vote counting accuracy and the limitations of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail units threaten to undermine public faith in Indian democracy.

Allegations of Systemic Electoral Manipulation

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has further intensified criticisms against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his administration, alleging a coordinated and systemic manipulation of electronic voting machines and voter rolls across the country.

Opposition leaders contend that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party secures victories in Lok Sabha contests and key state assembly elections through large-scale EVM manipulation. Critics allege that to maintain a facade of competitive democracy, the ruling party permits opposition formations to win select state elections while the BJP and its coalition partners remain the primary beneficiaries of electronic voting arrangements across a majority of Indian states.

Participation in Assembly Elections and Ongoing Transparency Debate

Despite raising serious concerns regarding the integrity of electronic voting, opposition parties are expected to participate in upcoming state Assembly elections using EVMs rather than staging an election boycott. Observers note a paradox in the strategy, as opposition groups continue to express public skepticism over EVMs yet remain active candidates on the electronic ballot.

To track these ongoing developments, the RMN News EVM Research and Transparency Hub continues to monitor key issues surrounding Indian elections. The hub provides research, official statements, legal developments, political claims, and evidence regarding EVMs and VVPAT auditability to inform public debate on election integrity.