ECI revises EVM ballot paper guidelines; colour photos of candidates from Bihar polls
The Election Commission of India revised its guidelines under Rule 49B of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, on 17 September 2025, so that EVM ballot papers carry colour photographs of candidates for the first time, starting with Bihar.
Summary
The Election Commission of India (ECI) revised its guidelines under Rule 49B of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, for the design and printing of EVM ballot papers on 17 September 2025. Candidates' photographs will now be printed in colour, with the face occupying three-fourths of the photo space. Serial numbers of candidates and NOTA will be printed in the international form of Indian numerals, in bold font size 30, and all names will use the same font type and size. Ballot papers will be printed on 70 GSM paper, with pink paper of specified RGB values for Assembly elections. The upgraded ballot papers will be used from the upcoming elections, starting with Bihar, and the ECI said this is in line with 28 initiatives taken over the past six months.
Key facts
- Legal basis
- Rule 49B, Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961
- First
- Colour photographs of candidates on EVM ballot papers
- Photo
- Face to occupy three-fourths of photo space
- Serial numbers
- International form of Indian numerals, bold, font size 30
- Paper
- 70 GSM; pink for Assembly elections
- Starting with
- Bihar elections
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Under which rule of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, did the ECI revise guidelines for EVM ballot papers in September 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Rule 49B
The ECI revised the existing guidelines under Rule 49B of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, for the design and printing of EVM ballot papers.
Under the revised ECI guidelines of September 2025, what colour of paper is to be used for EVM ballot papers in Assembly elections?
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Correct answer: A — Pink
For Assembly elections, pink-coloured paper of specified RGB values is to be used; ballot papers are printed on 70 GSM paper.
Consider the following statements about the ECI's revised EVM ballot paper guidelines of September 2025: 1. Candidates' photographs will be printed in colour, with the face occupying three-fourths of the photo space. 2. Serial numbers of candidates and NOTA will be printed in Devanagari numerals. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. Photographs will be in colour with the face covering three-fourths of the space, but serial numbers will be printed in the international form of Indian numerals, not Devanagari numerals.