Goa, Sept. 30 -- Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has called for a return to ballot paper voting, as the Opposition INDIA bloc renewed its criticism of electronic voting machines and the ongoing debate over electoral rolls.

Speaking at an INDIA bloc meeting in New Delhi on September 30, Kharge listed five demands, including the use of pre-SIR electoral rolls for future elections, a stronger appeal mechanism before a voter's name is removed, safeguards against the exclusion of eligible voters due to administrative failures, voting through ballot papers and a simpler voter-registration process for first-time voters.

Kharge's remarks come amid opposition parties' continuing concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of elector...