Ballot papers making a comeback; Bengaluru local body elections to be held old school style, says Election Commissioner

BENGALURU: Karnataka State Election Commissioner to use ballot papers instead of EVMs in local body elections. The commissioner has decided to bring back ballot papers in the elections to five corporations formed under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA). Karnataka State Election Commissioner GS Sangreshi said that ballot papers will also be used in the district, taluk and panchayat elections to be held later this year. The commissioner clarified that there is no ban on using ballot papers. The elections will be held after May 25.

Sangreshi said the commission has the discretion to decide as the law mandates the use of ballot papers or EVMs. The commissioner said that web cameras and CCTV cameras will be installed and police security will be ensured to address concerns about fake votes. The state government had earlier recommended to the Election Commission that elections to all panchayat, urban and local bodies in the state should be held using ballot papers. The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) was restructured in 2025, bifurcating the previous Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) into five new municipal corporations: North, South, East, West, and Central.