Bengaluru is set to revert to ballot papers for its upcoming civic polls, a significant shift in the voting methodology after approximately 25 years, according to an announcement by the Karnataka State Election Commission (SEC). The elections, pertaining to the five city corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), are tentatively scheduled to be held after May 25, 2026, following the conclusion of SSLC and PUC examinations. This timeline aligns with the Supreme Court's directive for the state to complete the election process for the local body by June 30, 2026. Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were first introduced in Bengaluru's civic body elections in 1996, making this return to paper ballots a notable procedural change. The decision to opt for ballot papers, instead of EVMs, comes after the Karnataka Cabinet recommended the switch for local body polls. State Election Commissioner G.S. Sangreshi clarified that while both methods are considered 'best practices,' the GBA Act provides for the use of either EVMs or ballot papers, and there is no legal bar or Supreme Court order against using ballot papers. Political parties, particularly the Congress, have been vocal in their support for ballot papers, raising questions about EVM trustworthiness. Currently, the draft electoral rolls for the GBA list 88.91 lakh voters across 369 wards. A comprehensive process for voter verification, including door-to-door checks by Booth Level Officers, is underway from January 20 to February 3, 2026, with the final electoral rolls expected to be published on March 16, 2026. This move aims to restore democratic governance in Bengaluru's municipal bodies, which have seen prolonged delays in elections since the previous council's term ended in September 2020.