Karnataka Cabinet clears Rs 151 crore for ballot boxes, webcasting of panchayat polls

The Karnataka Cabinet approved funds for ballot boxes and live webcasting for upcoming panchayat elections. This decision signals a move away from electronic voting machines for rural local body polls. The government has amended the Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj Act to allow for paper ballot voting. Elections to gram, taluk, and zilla panchayats are expected to be held by December.