Ballot papers may come back for Bengaluru civic polls

Bengaluru: When Bengaluru last went to the polls for erstwhile BBMP, voting was conducted using electronic voting machines (EVMs). But there is no clarity on whether the State Election Commission (SEC) will continue to use EVMs in civic body
elections. 

G S Sangreshi, a former district judge and the State Election Commissioner, told DH that the commission is well prepared to conduct the elections to Bengaluru’s municipal body in line with Supreme Court orders.

He, however, did not disclose whether the commission would rely on EVMs or revert to ballot papers.

Multiple sources in the government told DH that the elections in Bengaluru were likely to be held using ballot papers, in line with the plan for ZP & TP polls.

The govt believes that electronic voting machines can be manipulated, unlike ballot papers. 

The Greater Bengaluru Governance Act, 2024, allows elections to 5 municipal corporations to be conducted either using ballot or the electronic voting machines.

It is, however, learnt that the commission is yet to make a final decision.