Madhya Pradesh Pioneers India's First Paperless Voting Booth

The Madhya Pradesh State Election Commission conducted India's first paperless voting booth project during a panchayat bypoll in Bhopal, achieving an 84% voter turnout. This pilot project's success aims to simplify and make the voting process more transparent. Paperless booths are planned for broader implementation across the state.

The Madhya Pradesh State Election Commission has made history by successfully implementing India's first paperless voting booth during a panchayat bypoll in Bhopal district, recording a voter turnout of 84 per cent.

For the first time, the SEC used this technology on Wednesday at polling station-295 Ratua Ratanpur gram panchayat of Berasia development block. The goal is to simplify, smoothen, and bring transparency to the voting process in panchayats and urban bodies. Traditionally, the process requires filling out 26 different forms for procedural and reporting purposes at polling stations, SEC Secretary Abhishek Singh explained.

The shift to paperless booths aims to eliminate errors and reduce disputes and legal challenges. Ratua Ratanpur served as a successful test case for this initiative. The new system records signatures and thumb impressions electronically, with voting percentages and ballot accounting conducted online. Updates were available every two hours, and post-polling, ballot paper accounts were emailed to candidates and polling agents. Both hardware and software solutions are being developed for possible statewide implementation.

(With inputs from agencies.)