States » WestPosted at: Jan 20 2026 9:48PM


Opposition demands ballot paper voting for ZP and Panchayat Samiti polls

Mumbai, Jan 20 (UNI) A fresh political debate has emerged in Maharashtra over the method of conducting Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections, following Karnataka's decision to hold municipal body polls using ballot papers instead of electronic voting machines. The issue came into sharp focus on January 20, with opposition parties demanding a similar approach in Maharashtra.
Citing the Karnataka government's move as a step taken to strengthen voter confidence and electoral transparency, opposition leaders argued that ballot paper voting should be adopted, particularly for rural local body elections in the state. The demand has been raised by senior Congress leader Nana Patole and Nationalist Congress Party legislator Amol Mitkari, adding to the political heat ahead of the next round of local elections.
In the aftermath of the recent municipal corporation election results in Maharashtra, questions have once again been raised by opposition parties over the credibility of electronic voting machines. Opposition leaders have maintained that restoring public trust in the electoral process requires reverting to traditional ballot paper voting.
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