Karnataka to Conduct Civic, Panchayat Polls Using Paper Ballots Instead of EVMs
Mumbai: In a significant shift in election procedures, the Karnataka government on Friday approved a proposal to conduct upcoming civic and panchayat elections using paper ballots instead of electronic voting machines (EVMs).
The decision was taken at a state cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and will apply to elections for the Greater Bengaluru Authority as well as rural local bodies, including Zilla Panchayats and Taluk Panchayats.
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil said the move was driven by sustained public concerns over the credibility of voting technology. “There has been a consistent demand and a visible erosion of credibility and confidence in EVMs. To ensure that the democratic process remains transparent and trusted by every citizen, the Cabinet has recommended reverting to ballot papers,” he said.
Ministers described the decision as an administrative measure aimed at reinforcing public trust in the electoral process rather than a broader reform of the electoral system. State officials emphasised that the change is limited to local body elections and does not affect Assembly or Lok Sabha polls.
The shift covers both urban and rural tiers of governance, including Bengaluru’s civic administration, marking a structural change in how voting will be conducted at these levels.
To support the decision, the Cabinet also approved the Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The amendment ensures the use of ballot papers in elections to rural local bodies, aligning them with the proposed voting method for urban local bodies, particularly the five corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Authority.
Meanwhile, discussions on the proposed Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Karnataka by the Election Commission of India remained inconclusive. The Cabinet sought further clarity on the role of the state government in the exercise before taking a final view.
The move is expected to reshape the conduct of local elections in Karnataka and could influence broader debates around voting mechanisms at the grassroots level.
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