Punjab MC Polls: PIL filed in High Court seeking use of EVMs in upcoming elections
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, May 19, 2026: A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking directions to conduct the upcoming municipal elections in Punjab through Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) instead of ballot papers.
The petition was filed by Mohali-based advocate Ruchika Garg, who argued that the use of EVMs would help ensure free, fair, and transparent elections across the state.
During the hearing, the petitioner submitted that EVM-based polling could reduce the possibility of alleged rigging, booth capturing, and other electoral malpractices. The plea also stated that the use of EVMs would speed up the counting process, allow quicker declaration of results, and help save paper on a large scale.
The petition questioned why Punjab municipal elections are still being conducted through ballot papers when Lok Sabha and Assembly elections across the country are already held using EVMs.
During the proceedings, the Punjab State Election Commission informed the court that EVMs had been requested from the Election Commission of India but were not provided.
The High Court observed that the conduct of municipal elections falls under the jurisdiction of the State Election Commission and sought responses from both election bodies in the matter.
The case has now been adjourned till Wednesday for further hearing.