By Mukesh 
Paving the way for the introduction of ballot papers in the local bodies election, The Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Act, 2026, was notified on Wednesday after it received Governor’s assent on Tuesday.
The Karnataka government has reverted to paper ballots for local body elections in response to concerns about EVM credibility and voter privacy reflect growing consensus on the need to strengthen electoral mechanisms that prioritise anonymity and transparency, the Act said.