Bengaluru: The state govt’s decision to use ballot paper instead of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in forthcoming zilla and taluk panchayat elections has triggered unease within governing Congress. The govt plans to give legal sanctity to the move with Priyank Kharge, rural development and panchayat raj minister, saying the Karnataka Gram Swaraj (Amendment) Bill, 2026, is ready and will be tabled in both Houses of the legislature during the budget session beginning March 6. “The intention is to ensure credibility of elections and bring in much-needed transparency to voting and counting processes,” Priyank said. “The Centre failed to address our concerns about EVMs which forced us to prepare ballot papers.” While the chief electoral officer under the Election Commission of India conducts assembly and parliamentary polls, the SEC independently oversees elections to rural and urban local bodies. In line with Congress’ national campaign against EVMs, the govt plans to give the Karnataka State Election Commission (SEC) the option of using either EVMs or ballot papers in local body polls. The govt has already amended the Greater Bengaluru Governance Act to permit ballot papers in civic polls to the five city corporations. But a section of Congress legislators has reservations, arguing the move could revive perceptions of electoral manipulation. Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar’s brother and former MP DK Suresh recently said the shift would take the system a step back. He recently reiterated that he stands by his statement. Many lawmakers privately cite the Malur assembly seat case as evidence of EVM reliability. Congress MLA KY Nanje Gowda’s election, initially set aside by the high court after a recount, was upheld by the Supreme Court last week after the apex court examined the counting process. He won the 2023 polls by 248 votes against BJP’s KS Manjunathgowda. Nanje Gowda credited EVMs for the verdict, saying his case demonstrated the system’s accuracy. He said data from the control unit, VVPAT and booth-level agents matched precisely, while a minor discrepancy emerged in manually counted postal ballots. “It’s a case in point. But as a disciplined worker, I will toe the line of my party,” he said. However, SEC officials defended the govt’s proposal, saying existing EVMs are 15 years old and due for disposal. “Using ballot papers is not unconstitutional as the Constitution provides the option to use either EVM or ballot paper,” state election commissioner GS Sangreshi said. “When ballot paper is used in gram panchayat polls, why not use them for ZP-TP polls?”
