SEC Considers Return to Ballot Papers

Speedy Summary

• The Karnataka State Election Commission (SEC) has agreed to revert to ballot papers for elections based on the State Cabinet’s recommendation.
• Ballot papers will now be used for gram panchayat,Zilla Panchayat (ZP),and Taluk Panchayat (TP) polls,as well as urban local body elections.
• Elections to the Greater Bengaluru authority’s five corporations are expected in February 2026.
• Conduct of ZP/TP polls will depend on finalizing updated electoral rolls and fixing constituency reservations by the State government.
• ZP/TP polls have been delayed as May 2021 due to delays in delimitation of constituencies and notifying seat reservations, responsibilities earlier handled by the SEC but reassigned to the State government in 2022.
• While delimitation was finalized in December 2023, reservation notifications remain pending.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The decision by Karnataka’s SEC to use ballot papers marks a critically important procedural shift from electronic voting machines (EVMs). While EVMs are widely regarded as efficient and secure, reverting back may reflect growing concerns or preferences for traditional methods that assure voter trust especially at local governance levels.

The prolonged delay of ZP/TP elections highlights systemic challenges within state-level policymaking and administrative processes related to electoral preparation. Delimitation was finalized after significant delay, but pending reservations continue postponing democratic functioning at grassroots levels-an issue with implications for governance continuity across rural Karnataka.

With municipal corporation elections slated for February next year under Greater Bengaluru Authority jurisdiction, timely resolution of logistical issues regarding roll updates and reservation fixes is crucial not only from an administrative standpoint but also from strengthening public faith in democratic processes.

Read more: Published – September 04, 2025 at The Hindu.