Vikramaditya Singh called for paper-ballot elections and reforms within the Election Commission. The demand intensifies opposition pressure over EVMs, voter-roll revisions and democratic safeguards.Shimla,Oct 21, 2026 20:06 ISTHimachal Pradesh Public Works Department Minister Vikramaditya Singh on Wednesday called for elections to be conducted using paper ballots instead of electronic voting machines and sought reforms within the Election Commission to protect democracy and the Constitution, news agency Press Trust of India reported.Singh also reiterated the opposition's demands for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the withdrawal of legal immunity granted to Election Commissioners.Addressing a press conference in Shimla, Singh said the opposition and the public had placed their trust in the Supreme Court.
He stressed that necessary reforms must be introduced to strengthen the democratic system and protect the Constitution.He was referring to a petition filed in the Supreme Court by members of the INDIA bloc challenging the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and alleged deletion of voters' names. Singh described the action against opposition leaders and protesters in Delhi as unfortunate, saying the national capital had been turned into “something resembling a military cantonment”.The Congress MLA expressed concern over the deployment of paramilitary forces and the detention of people.
He alleged that people were being detained at their homes and airports, with some even being held on board aircraft, in an apparent reference to CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, PTI reported. Dipke was detained inside an Air India flight shortly after it landed at Delhi airport on October 10 to prevent him from participating in a CJP protest against Kumar.Singh said the opposition would continue its struggle to protect democratic rights and the Constitution.Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu also said elections could be conducted using ballot papers if people had doubts about voting through EVMs.“As far as EVMs are concerned, it would be better to hold elections using ballot papers to dispel any such doubts; there is no disagreement on that,” he said.Speaking about the Khel Mahakumbh, scheduled to begin in Shimla on October 25, Singh said 553 athletes would participate in the event.He said the Himachal Sports Culture and Environment Association would organise the event in Shimla Rural from October 25 to November 15 under the “Quit Drugs, Play Sports” campaign.The 22-day event will include 211 cricket teams, 50 volleyball teams, and 60 teams each in the men's and women's categories of kabaddi and badminton.
It will also feature 100 folk dance teams and 260 tug-of-war teams.Singh said 400 women had registered for the fashion show and modelling segments, while 400 Mahila Mandals, or women's groups, would also participate.The minister said the tug-of-war competition was expected to draw the highest number of participants. He said the event aimed to involve young people in sports and encourage them to stay away from substance abuse.Singh's remarks focused on the opposition's demands for electoral reforms and the use of ballot papers, while he also outlined plans for the Khel Mahakumbh to promote sports and discourage substance abuse among young people.- Ends