Ballot papers are back: Karnataka Governor clears Bill to replace EVMs in local polls

Weather ePaper Today’s Paper Journalism of Courage Home ePaper Politics Explained Opinion India Business Premium Cities UPSC Entertainment Sports World Lifestyle Tech Subscribe Sign In TrendingUPSC OfferIPL 2026US NewsPuzzles & GamesLegal NewsFresh TakeHealthResearch🎙️ Podcast Advertisement function checkAndLoadWindowSizeScript() { if (window.jQuery) { // jQuery is loaded, include your script jQuery(document).ready(function($) { // Your existing script for checking window width if (window.innerWidth) var page_w = window.innerWidth; else if (document.all) var page_w = document.body.clientWidth; if (page_w > 1024) { $(".add-left, .add-right").show(); } else { $(".add-left, .add-right").hide(); } }); } else { // jQuery is not loaded, check again after 0.2 seconds setTimeout(checkAndLoadWindowSizeScript, 200); } } // Initial call to the function checkAndLoadWindowSizeScript(); NewsCitiesBangaloreBallot papers are back: Karnataka Governor clears Bill to replace EVMs in local polls Ballot papers are back: Karnataka Governor clears Bill to replace EVMs in local polls The Opposition BJP had said the switch would drag the electoral system back to the ‘Stone Age’. By: Express News Service2 min readBengaluruApr 17, 2026 12:15 PM IST Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot. (File Photo) Make us preferred source on Google Whatsapp twitter Facebook Reddit PRINT Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot has granted assent to the Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2026, paving the way for the use of ballot papers instead of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for the upcoming local body polls in the state. The Act received assent on Tuesday and was notified by the government on Wednesday. The legislation was passed during the budget session held in March. The Karnataka government had tabled the amendment, arguing that it was necessary to switch back to ballot papers as the Election Commission of India (ECI) had not adequately addressed concerns about EVMs. “… some concerns have been raised, regarding functioning of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) necessitating a return to the robust secret ballot paper system to restore public trust,” according to the Act. It said that “the decision of the Karnataka State Government to revert to paper ballots for local body elections, in response to concerns about EVM credibility and voter privacy, reflects a growing consensus on the need to strengthen electoral mechanisms that prioritize anonymity and transparency.” The Opposition BJP had called the Bill a retrograde measure, saying that the switch would drag the electoral system back to the “Stone Age”. That apart, BJP leaders had argued that reverting to the ballot paper will not augur well for a state with tech credentials like Karnataka. In January this year, the State Election Commission – which holds polls for urban and rural local bodies – had announced that paper ballots would be used during elections for five corporations of the Greater Bengaluru Authority. Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram