Karnataka Cabinet Pushes for Paper Ballots Amid Mounting EVM Controversy

Karnataka Cabinet Pushes for Paper Ballots Amid Mounting EVM Controversy

By RMN News Service

RMN News Report Highlights:

• 🗳️ Karnataka Cabinet recommends paper ballots for local elections, citing EVM credibility concerns.
• ⚖️ Law Minister H.K. Patil says electoral rolls may be revised to ensure transparency.
• 📉 Congress alleges vote fraud in 2024 polls; Rahul Gandhi claims “massive theft” in Mahadevapura.
• 🌍 Global figures like Elon Musk and Donald Trump back paper ballots over hackable EVMs.

Bengaluru, September 5, 2025 — In a decisive move aimed at restoring public trust in the electoral process, the Karnataka Cabinet has formally recommended the use of paper ballots for all future local body elections, citing the “eroded credibility” of electronic voting machines (EVMs).

Law Minister H.K. Patil announced the decision, emphasizing the need to safeguard democratic integrity. The State Election Commission (SEC) has been authorized to revise and, if necessary, redo electoral rolls to ensure transparency.

This recommendation aligns with a broader campaign by the Congress party, which has long criticized EVMs as vulnerable to manipulation. Allegations of vote fraud, fake voters, and inflated vote counts—particularly in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections—have intensified scrutiny. Rahul Gandhi notably accused the BJP of “massive theft of votes” in Karnataka’s Mahadevapura segment.

International voices have joined the chorus: Elon Musk and Donald Trump have both advocated for paper ballots, warning of EVMs’ susceptibility to hacking by humans or AI. An RMN News poll revealed that 89% of respondents prefer paper ballots over EVMs.

RELATED RMN NEWS REPORTS

[ Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Vote Theft’ News Reports Have Little Impact as Modi Forges Ahead ]

[ Rahul Gandhi Vows ‘Hydrogen Bomb’ Expose on ‘Vote Chori’ ]

[ भारत की जहरीली राजनीतिक व्यवस्था तथा सुधार अभियान ]

Despite these concerns, the Election Commission of India and the Supreme Court have largely dismissed petitions challenging EVM use, drawing criticism for perceived bias toward the ruling government.

The Karnataka Cabinet’s move may reignite national debate over electoral reforms, with opposition leaders urging other states to follow suit. You can read the full report on RMN News.

Rakesh Raman  |  LinkedIn  |  Facebook  | Twitter (X)