SP reaffirms their request for ballot papers rather than EVMs in the Lok Sabha elections.

The Samajwadi Party (SP) has requested the use of ballot papers instead of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, citing a loss of faith in EVMs. Other opposition parties also raised concerns about EVM malfunctioning, irregularities in electoral rolls, abuse of government machinery by the ruling party, and strict enforcement of the model code of conduct. The Election Commission (EC) team, led by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, is in Lucknow to review preparations for the elections. The BJP delegation urged the EC to check voters wearing burqas or veils and to conduct polling under video cameras. The SP also highlighted irregularities in electoral rolls in Uttar Pradesh and called for their correction. The Congress delegation raised concerns about the abuse of official machinery by the BJP and the deletion of names from voters' lists. The BSP delegation demanded strict measures for free and fair polling. [Extracted from the article]