A fierce political war of words has broken out in Karnataka following the State Election Commission's (SEC) decision to use ballot papers for all upcoming local body elections, including the high-stakes Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) polls.
As the state transitions back to paper-based voting after nearly 25 years, the move has polarized the political landscape, with the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP trading heavy fire over transparency and technology.
The Ballot Dispute: ‘Progressive’ vs. ‘Regressive’
The SEC's clarification that ballots will be used for GBA and Panchayat polls after May 25, 2026, has ignited a debate on electoral integrity:
The Congress Defense: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his cabinet have hailed the move as a victory for transparency. They argue that ballot papers are "immune to hacking" and cite global examples of developed nations using paper trails. Following recent "vote theft" allegations in Bengaluru, the party maintains that ballots are the only way to restore absolute public trust.
The BJP Outcry: The BJP has termed the move "regressive," accusing the Congress-led government of pushing the state back into the "Stone Age." Party leaders argue that manual counting is time-consuming, prone to human error, and an insult to Bengaluru's status as a global technology hub.
SEC’s Stand: ‘Within Legal Bounds’
State Election Commissioner G.S. Sangreshi reaffirmed that the decision was made independently, without political pressure. "The law permits the use of ballot papers for local polls, and the Supreme Court has not stayed this process. We have evaluated all administrative dimensions before finalizing this," he stated during the release of the GBA draft electoral rolls. ADOFYS 24 in 1 Accessories Kit Action Camera Mount Kit Compatible with Hero GoPro Hero 9/10/11& 12 Action Camera
SIR Mapping: The New Political Battleground?
Parallel to the ballot row, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has become a major point of contention.
Current Status: Statewide voter mapping has reached 61% completion, with 1.35 crore progeny records mapped. However, Bengaluru remains an outlier, trailing at just 27%.
Siddaramaiah’s Retort: Speaking in Belagavi on Monday (Jan 19), CM Siddaramaiah hit back at the BJP’s allegations of manipulation. "Congress does not view SIR as a political tool. Our only concern is that not a single eligible voter should be excluded from the list," he said, indirectly dismissing the BJP's claims of "fraudulent deletions."
As the "Ballot Battle" moves from the assembly to the streets, the coming months will determine whether this shift back to paper-based democracy strengthens the electoral process or mires it in administrative delays. Also Read: The Return of the Ballot: Tracking the Journey of Voting Systems from Ancient 'Ballotta' to 2026 Karnataka Polls