EVMs Go Colorful: Ahead of Bihar Elections, Election Tools Get Tech Upgrade

New Guidelines Before Bihar Assembly Elections: Bigger Fonts for Names and Numbers

New Delhi — In a significant shift ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, India’s Election Commission has announced reforms to the voting process. For the first time, electronic voting machines (EVMs) will display candidates’ photographs in colour. Their names and serial numbers will also appear in larger fonts, a move aimed at making the ballot clearer and reducing confusion among voters.

Until now, voters in many states, including Bihar in 2015, saw only black-and-white candidate photos on EVMs, a practice that sometimes created difficulties in identification. Officials believe that colour images and larger fonts will make the process more transparent and voter-friendly. The updated ballot paper design will debut in the upcoming state elections.

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According to the new rules, a candidate’s photo will be printed alongside their name and party symbol on the voting panel. The size of the image has been standardized to ensure visibility, and serial numbers will now appear in 30-point font. In addition, Lok Sabha ballots will be printed on white paper instead of pink, and the “None of the Above” (NOTA) option will continue to appear at the very end of the list.

A New Rule on Age Verification

Amid protests over the requirement to submit documents during Special Summary Revision (SSR) of electoral rolls, the Commission clarified that voters born before July 1, 1978, will no longer need to provide proof of age. A sworn affidavit will be sufficient for verification.

The Commission also explained that because the voter list updating process was disrupted between 2002 and 2004, those years will serve as a baseline for integrating new voters. A formal notification is expected soon.

Officials say these reforms are intended to make voting simpler, more transparent, and more trustworthy. Bihar’s polls will serve as the first major test of the new system.