Karnataka Cabinet Approves Paper Ballots for Local Polls, Plans Fast-Track Rule Changes
The move seeks to rebuild confidence in voting by writing paper ballots into state election procedures and directing their use in upcoming civic and panchayat contests.
Overview
- The cabinet cleared a shift from Electronic Voting Machines to ballot papers for upcoming civic and panchayat elections, citing public doubts about EVM credibility.
- Officials said amendments to the Karnataka Conduct of Election Rules will be introduced within 15 days, after which the State Election Commission must use ballots for specified local-body polls.
- The decision covers urban and rural bodies, including Greater Bengaluru Authority corporations, zilla panchayats and taluk panchayats.
- The Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2026, was approved for introduction in the budget session to formalize ballot-based voting for rural local polls.
- At the same meeting, the cabinet approved an AI-driven program to track and curb misinformation on social media, while BJP leader Pralhad Joshi criticized the ballot move as anti-technology.