Once again the political debate regarding electronic voting machine (EVM) versus ballot paper has intensified in Karnataka. Despite strong opposition from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Congress government led by state Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has introduced an important amendment bill in the Assembly for the return of ballot paper voting in local body elections.
State government minister Priyank Kharge introduced the Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in the House. It has been proposed in this bill that ballot paper should be used again instead of EVM in local elections.
Opposition expressed strong objection to the government’s move
The opposition has expressed strong objection to this step and called it a political decision. At the same time, the state government says that this initiative has been brought with the aim of strengthening transparency and public trust in the electoral process. There are chances of increasing political conflict on this issue and this debate may become more intense in the coming days.
What did Karnataka State Election Commission say on the use of ballot paper?
Karnataka State Election Commission Commissioner G. S. Sangreshi had announced that the elections for the five municipal corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) will be held after May 25, 2026 and before June 30, 2026, and ballot papers will be used instead of EVMs in the local body elections this time.
Ballot paper will be used in the state after three decades
Karnataka State Election Commissioner G. S. Sangreshi said that EVM was first used in Bengaluru three decades ago in the year 1996. Since then, every election held in the state has been conducted through EVMs, but after almost three decades, traditional paper ballot paper will be used once again in the elections.
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