Bengaluru: Elections to the five municipal bodies under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) will be webcast live from every polling booth, the State Election Commission (SEC) announced, describing the move as a major step towards ensuring transparency and preventing malpractices during voting.

The decision comes close on the heels of the SEC’s announcement that the upcoming civic polls in Bengaluru will be conducted using paper ballots instead of electronic voting machines (EVMs). State Election Commissioner G S Sangreshi said the extensive use of technology, particularly web casting and CCTV surveillance, would ensure the smooth and fair conduct of the elections despite concerns raised over the reintroduction of ballot papers.

Web casting to cover every polling station

Addressing the media, Sangreshi said web casting would be implemented across all polling stations without exception. “Web casting is one of the many measures we are taking to ensure smooth conduct of the elections. There will be no scope for tampering in the polling booth,” he said.

According to the SEC, each polling station will be equipped with CCTV cameras, and live footage from every booth will be streamed directly to the SEC office. Dedicated teams will monitor the feed continuously throughout polling hours to promptly flag and address any irregularities.

Sangreshi noted that while web casting had been used in previous elections, it was earlier limited to sensitive and super-sensitive booths. “This time, the coverage will be comprehensive. Every polling station will be under surveillance, ensuring uniform monitoring and accountability,” he added.

Addressing concerns over paper ballots

The decision to revert to paper ballots has sparked debate, with some political parties and civic groups expressing apprehensions about the possibility of malpractice. However, the SEC dismissed such concerns, asserting that paper ballots are no more vulnerable than EVMs when backed by strong monitoring mechanisms.

“If you cite instances of paper ballot boxes going missing, I can also point to incidents where EVMs have been stolen,” Sangreshi said. “No system is entirely immune, but the combination of web casting, CCTV surveillance and strict enforcement will act as a strong deterrent.”

He stressed that the SEC had carefully assessed the risks involved and put in place multiple layers of checks to safeguard the integrity of the voting process.

Police and inter-departmental coordination

Sangreshi expressed confidence in the SEC’s preparedness to conduct the elections without disruption. He said the commission would seek active support from the police and other government departments to maintain law and order and ensure logistical efficiency on polling day.

Security personnel will be deployed at polling stations based on sensitivity assessments, while rapid response teams will be on standby to deal with any untoward incidents. Election officials will also undergo training to familiarise themselves with procedures related to paper ballots and the web casting system.

Voter turnout unlikely to be affected

Dismissing fears that the shift back to paper ballots could affect voter participation, Sangreshi said turnout depended more on public awareness and mindset than on the voting method. “Regardless of whether we use EVMs or paper ballots, it is the people’s mindset that matters,” he said.

Citing past data, the commissioner pointed out that nearly 2.97 crore voters participated in elections to about 6,000 gram panchayats, which were conducted using paper ballots. “This clearly shows that paper ballots do not discourage voters,” he added.

The SEC plans to conduct awareness campaigns to educate voters on the correct method of marking and casting paper ballots to avoid confusion or invalid votes.

Precedent in exams and public processes

Interestingly, web casting has already been used successfully by other state bodies to prevent malpractice. The Karnataka Examinations Authority and the Karnataka Secondary Examination and Assessment Board relied on web casting during second-year PU and SSLC examinations to ensure fairness and transparency.

Officials believe the same model can be effectively adapted for elections, particularly in an urban and politically sensitive region like Bengaluru, where civic polls often attract intense scrutiny.

Conclusion

With comprehensive web casting, CCTV surveillance and inter-departmental coordination, the State Election Commission aims to set a new benchmark for transparency in civic elections under the Greater Bengaluru Authority. The SEC maintains that the combination of traditional paper ballots and modern monitoring tools will ensure free, fair and credible polls, reinforcing public confidence in the electoral process.