Will make amendments in law to bring back ballot papers to local body polls: H.K. Patil

The Karnataka government plans to bring in suitable amendments to various provisions of law to bring back ballot papers in local body polls.

Speaking after the Cabinet meeting here on Thursday, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil said amendments would be brought to Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj Act, 1993, Karnataka Municipalities Act, 1964, and Greater Bengaluru Governance Act, 2024, that govern the conduct of elections. He also acknowledged that the SEC is an independent body under Articles 243 (K) and 243 (ZA) of the Indian Constitution.

Binding on SEC

“At this point in time, the Cabinet has made recommendations, which may be accepted or not. However, once we make suitable changes in the laws and rules, it will be binding on the SEC,” Mr. Patil indicated.

When asked if they did not trust EVMs after winning 139 seats in the 224-member Karnataka Legislative Assembly, the Minister said, “Though we trust the results, we should have won 170 seats.” He also pointed out a 3,450 page report that he had submitted to the Legislative Assembly, highlighting “manipulations in EVMs”, which eventually was not accepted by the Election Commission of India.

Power to prepare rolls

In the light of “vote chori” allegations, Mr. Patil also said that the Cabinet has decided to recommend to the SEC to consider revision of voters list for the elections to the local bodies. “Till now, the voters list prepared for the Assembly constituencies were being considered. We are seeking changes in the light of ‘vote chori’ discussions. There have been discrepancies in in the voters list.” The recommendations is to consider revising or redoing the voters list, he added.

Government sources said that the recommendations for the voters list had come after the SEC based on the provisions in the GBA Act. Seeking necessary amendments to the GBA act, the SEC has said that the if the State government did not intend to adopt the Assembly electoral rolls, the SEC may be given power to prepare the electoral rolls for the elections of councillors under GBA Act.

It pointed out that the GBA Act is silent with respect to preparation of electoral rolls by the SEC or adopting the Assembly electoral roll. The SEC Commissioner G.S. Sangreshi, in his letter, has also said that the constitutional provisions do not direct the SECs to adopt the Legislative Assembly electoral rolls.

He has sought framing of rules related to Registration of Electoral Rolls by the SEC itself similar to that of Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, framed under The Representation of People’s Act, 1950, or bring amendment to Section 35 of Greater Bengaluru Governance Act regarding preparation of electoral rolls similar to provisions in Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj Act, 1993, Karnataka Municipalities Act, 1964, and Karnataka Municipal Corporation Act, 1976.