Telangana elections: AICC appeals to EC to withdraw pink ballot papers

New Delhi: All India Congress Committee (AICC) has appealed to the Election Commission of India to withdraw pink ballot papers in Telangana State Assembly elections as it is the colour of the ruling party.

In a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner, ECI, here on Thursday the AICC said a recent memo of the Government of Telangana has directed the Commissioner of Printing, Stationary & Stores, Telangana to procure 9 Lakhs Pink Coloured Ballot Papers for the General Elections to the Legislative Assembly of Telangana, 2018.

It said pink colour was synonymous with the ruling party of the State and the TRS had earlier objected to the use of proposed pink button on the EVMs' for denoting 'NOTA" votes in the GHMC elections as it was their party colour and people could get confused with the same. Under these circumstances, a pink ballot paper would only remind voters of the TRS and hence it must not be used, the AICC letter said.

As the ECI was tasked with the conduct of free and fair elections under the Constitution, all efforts must be made to ensure that the process is as independent and neutral as possible, it suggested.

Though the GO was challenged by the TPCC, no action had been taken so far, AICC reiterated.