The Government of Karnataka on April 15, 2026, issued the Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Act, 2026 further to amend the Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj Act, 1993.
The following amendments have been stated:
• Amendment of section 7.- In the Principal Act, in section 7, sub-section (3) and the Explanation shall be omitted.
• Amendment of section 31A.- In the Principal Act, in section 31A, in clause (a) and clause (d) the words “or voting machines” shall be omitted.
• Amendment of section 130.- In the Principal Act, in section 130, subsection (2-A) and the Explanation shall be omitted.
• Substitution of section 165.- In the Principal Act, for section 165, the following shall be substituted, namely:-
“165. Electoral roll.- (1) For every Constituency of Zilla Panchayat there shall be an electoral roll which shall be prepared by the Assistant Commissioner, subject to the superintendence, direction and control of the State Election Commission.
(2) The Electoral roll so prepared shall be revised, modified, updated and published in accordance with the provisions of this Act.
(3) A person whose name has been included in the electoral roll of Zilla Panchayat Constituency shall be entitled to vote in an election to that constituency:
Provided that, the electoral roll for such constituency of Zilla Panchayat shall not include any amendment, transposition, inclusion or deletion of entry made after the last date for making nomination for the election to such constituency and before completion of such election.”
• Amendment of section 169.- In the Principal Act, in section 169, subsection (2-A) and the Explanation shall be omitted.
• Power to remove difficulties.- (1) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of this Act, the Government may by order, published in the official Gazette, as the occasion may require, do anything which appears to it to be necessary to remove the difficulty.
(2) Every order made under this section shall, as soon as may be after it is so made, be laid before the both House of the State Legislature.
[Act No. 30 OF 2026]
