Bengaluru, Sept. 5- In a major decision, the State Cabinet on Thursday resolved to recommend to the State Election Commission (SEC) that all future local body elections be conducted using ballot papers instead of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

The Cabinet also decided to empower the SEC to independently prepare and revise voter rolls for various local elections, a move aimed at strengthening transparency in the electoral process.

Speaking to reporters after the Cabinet meeting in Bengaluru, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil said, “We have decided to recommend to the SEC to hold all upcoming polls through ballot papers instead of EVMs. This step comes in response to the growing erosion of public confidence in the credibility of EVMs. The Cabinet has also resolved to introduce the necessary legal measures and amend existing rules to allow the SEC to revise electoral rolls independently.”

Patil added that the State Government would also suggest to the SEC the framework for conducting elections under these new provisions. “All changes will be implemented within the next fortnight,” he assured.

This decision coincides with the Cabinet’s recommendation for a special revision of voter lists ahead of the upcoming elections to Panchayats and the five newly formed City Corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA).

Former State Election Commissioner P.N. Srinivasachari, reflecting on the move, recalled that EVMs were first introduced in Mysuru and Bengaluru districts during the 1999 elections. However, he noted that Gram Panchayat elections have continued with ballot papers to this day.