Karnataka to scrap EVMs for local body polls? Govt recommends use of ballot papers

The Cabinet has also decided to authorise the SEC to 'prepare, revise and, if necessary, redo' the electoral rolls for local body polls, HK Patil said.

The Congress government in Karnataka has recommended to the State Election Commission (SEC) the use of ballot papers instead of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) for all future local body polls.

Speaking on this, Law & Parliamentary Affairs H K Patil said, "Of late, citizens have noticed variations in electoral rolls. Many complaints have been lodged. EVMs are losing trustworthiness. In this backdrop, the Cabinet has decided to recommended doing away with EVMs for local body polls."

"SEC is an independent body that functions under state law," says Patil.

“In the next 15 days, all rules and necessary legal changes will be made,” he says.

“This is our recommendation. Once the government frames the rules, it’ll be binding on the SEC to follow them,” Patil says.

The Cabinet has also decided to authorise the SEC to 'prepare, revise and, if necessary, redo' the electoral rolls for local body polls, Patil said.

“At present, electoral rolls prepared by the Election Commission are used, " he added.