In a big move, the Karnataka government has decided to switch from EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines) to ballot papers for upcoming local body elections. The decision was taken during a recent Cabinet meeting held in Bengaluru.
Law Minister H.K. Patil explained that the government plans to introduce legal changes to allow elections to be conducted using traditional paper ballots. This means they will revise the current laws and rules to make sure the voting process is transparent and reliable through ballot papers instead of electronic voting machines.
The Cabinet also agreed to work on updating and rechecking the voters’ list. Officials want to ensure that only eligible voters are included, addressing concerns about errors and potential non-existent voters. Minister Patil said the State Election Commission — which is responsible for preparing the electoral roll — will now take charge of this process.
Recently, many people in Karnataka expressed worries about discrepancies in the voters’ list. There have been complaints that some non-eligible individuals were listed as voters, which caused doubts about the EVM system’s reliability. As confidence in electronic voting has been declining and public trust erodes, the government decided that ballot papers are a better way to ensure fair and transparent elections.
Minister Patil emphasized that the Election Commission operates independently, and the new rules will help improve how local elections are conducted across Panchayats, municipalities, and urban local bodies.
This move marks a significant step towards more transparent voting in Karnataka, aiming to restore public confidence and ensure fair elections at the grassroots level.
