The Punjab State Election Commission (SEC) has announced that the upcoming civic body elections will utilize ballot papers instead of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) due to a delay in supply from the Election Commission of India (ECI). This decision, set for May 26, 2023, has been challenged in a public interest litigation by advocate Ruchita Garg, who argues that reverting to ballot papers undermines modern electoral processes. Senior advocates representing Garg highlighted that the introduction of EVMs was a significant advancement in voting methods, aimed at reducing fraud and expediting the counting process. They referenced a 2025 Supreme Court ruling which criticized attempts to discredit EVMs, stating that such actions could derail the electoral process and create unnecessary doubts among voters. The SEC acknowledged that they had reached out to the ECI regarding the EVM shortage but were unable to secure them in time for the elections. The court's inquiry into the SEC's decision reflects broader concerns about the integrity and efficiency of the electoral process in Punjab.