**Karnataka Congress Proposes Return to Ballot Papers for Local Elections**
The Congress government in Karnataka has proposed to the State Election Commission (SEC) that future local body elections utilize ballot papers instead of electronic voting machines (EVMs). This decision was made during a cabinet meeting, where it was also agreed that the SEC should be empowered to prepare, revise, and, if necessary, redo the electoral rolls for these elections. Law Minister HK Patil emphasized that this initiative aims to restore public confidence in the electoral process, stating, “The cabinet is going to recommend holding elections through ballot papers and not with EVMs. We’ll also recommend that the State Election Commission prepare the voters’ list. This is because the credibility of EVMs has eroded.”
This recommendation will be reviewed by the SEC, which is responsible for overseeing local body elections throughout Karnataka. The move comes in the wake of allegations made by Rahul Gandhi, who accused the Election Commission of colluding with the BJP to manipulate the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, particularly through the alteration of voter lists in the Mahadevapura Assembly segment. Gandhi claimed there was significant electoral fraud in this area, citing issues such as duplicate names, false addresses, and the misuse of Form 6.
The Congress party has been advocating for a return to paper ballots since last year, particularly following their defeat in the Maharashtra Assembly elections. Party leaders have consistently argued that EVMs are susceptible to tampering and that reverting to paper ballots is essential for ensuring transparency in elections. However, a Supreme Court ruling on November 26 dismissed a petition calling for the use of paper ballots, with Justice Nath commenting on the perception of EVM tampering based on election outcomes.
In summary, the Congress government’s push for ballot papers reflects a growing concern over the integrity of electronic voting systems and aims to enhance public trust in the electoral process in Karnataka.
**FAQ**
**Q: Why is the Congress government in Karnataka advocating for ballot papers?**
A: The Congress government believes that using ballot papers instead of EVMs will restore public trust in the electoral process, as concerns about the credibility of EVMs have increased.