The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) civic elections will be held after May 25, using ballot papers instead of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), announced Karnataka Chief Election Commissioner G.S. Sangreshi on January 19. The last GBA elections in August 2015 used EVMs. The State Election Commission did not specify the exact reason for reverting to ballot papers but said the law permits their use. Chief Election Commissioner Sangreshi explained, "This is not banned. We are doing it. Even developed countries, like the United States, conduct elections using ballot papers. In India, only MLA and MP elections are conducted using EVMs." He added the decision came after careful consideration and consultation with stakeholders. Highlighting the Supreme Court's stance, Mr. Sangreshi said, "The apex court has held there is nothing wrong with conducting elections using ballot papers." He compared the State Election Commission's powers to those of the Election Commission of India, indicating both have autonomy in such decisions. Addressing concerns about delays or inefficiency, the Commissioner said the process would be smooth and "100% successful." On January 19, the State Election Commission published ward-wise draft electoral rolls for all 369 wards in the five city corporations under the GBA for public review. The final notification is scheduled for March 16. Claims and objections can be filed from January 20 to February 3 and will be resolved between February 4 and 18. The voter count in Greater Bengaluru stands at 88.91 lakh. Bengaluru West City Corporation leads with 27.25 lakh voters, followed by Bengaluru North with 19.54 lakh, Bengaluru South with 17.44 lakh, Bengaluru Central with 14.25 lakh, and Bengaluru East with 10.41 lakh voters. Ward No. 23 in Bengaluru West has the highest number of voters at 49,530, while Ward No. 16 in Bengaluru East has the least with 10,926 voters. The Chief Election Commissioner also spoke about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, describing it as a necessary step to correct voter details, similar to exercises in other states.