Allegations of Protocol Violations in Karnataka Electoral Roll Revision
During the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Karnataka, India, opposition parties BJP and JD(S) alleged widespread violations of Election Commission guidelines, including bulk form-filling at community halls and mosques instead of mandated door-to-door verification. Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and H.D. Kumaraswamy led delegations to the Chief Election Commissioner, demanding re-verification and action. Karnataka CEO V. Anbu Kumar denied a "mass SIR" charge, citing isolated lapses and issuing show-cause notices to 35 BLOs. Over 1.12 crore forms were distributed, with digitization at 7.72%.
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Congress Leader Urges Enrollment in Special Intensive Revision for Guarantee Benefits in Karnataka
Former MLA and Congress leader Anjali Nimbalkar, appointed as the party's in-charge of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process for Kittur Karnataka region, appealed to eligible voters in Belagavi to enroll in the electoral roll revision to ensure they receive benefits from government guarantee schemes. She warned that those not listed in the revised rolls may face difficulties accessing these benefits. Nimbalkar also alleged that the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre is attempting to strip eligible voters of their citizenship rights under the guise of SIR. She chaired a meeting at the Belagavi DCC office with district and block presidents to review the work of party workers serving as Booth Level Agents (BLAs). She noted that voter list digitization is 60-70% complete and instructed those whose names are not mapped to submit Form No. 6 at block or tahsildar offices.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Civil groups raise concerns over SIR enumeration form, flag pressure on BLOs
Civil society groups in Karnataka have submitted two letters to the state's Chief Electoral Officer, raising serious concerns about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. With less than 20 days left in the 30-day enumeration phase, groups argue that confusion over the exercise is causing incorrect form filling and that Booth Level Officers (BLOs) are working under intense pressure without proper training. The groups demand the Election Commission of India extend the deadline by at least three months to prevent wrongful exclusion of eligible voters. They also note that at least four BLOs died during the first week of the SIR exercise and demand compensation for their families. Additionally, they criticize show-cause notices issued to 35 BLOs for distributing forms in bulk, arguing it is impractical for a single BLO to personally visit 1,000-1,500 voters within the 30-day period.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Karnataka Electoral Roll Revision: Political Parties Verify Untraceable Voters
As the distribution of enumeration forms for Karnataka's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls enters its final phase, the Election Commission has identified over 9.37 lakh electors as absent, shifted, dead, duplicate, or otherwise untraceable (ASDDO). The task of verifying these voters has been delegated to recognized political parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S). Booth Level Agents (BLAs) and local leaders are visiting polling station areas to confirm classifications. The Chief Electoral Officer, V. Anbu Kumar, stated that parties can report discrepancies to the Election Commission. Party spokespersons confirmed active monitoring: KPCC's V.R. Sudarshan said BLAs are flagging discrepancies, while BJP's S. Dattatri reported no issues found so far. Officials emphasized that any deletions will follow due process, including field verification and opportunity for affected voters to respond.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Congress Alleges Gaps in Voter Facilitation for Electoral Roll Revision in Karnataka
The Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) has urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to strengthen voter facilitation arrangements for the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging administrative lapses could exclude genuine electors. In a representation to the Chief Election Commissioner, the party claimed the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Karnataka failed to establish adequate facilitation centres to assist voters. The Congress stated that although the SIR exercise began with Booth Level Officers conducting house-to-house visits from June 30, nearly half of eligible households had not received enumeration forms midway through the exercise. The party urged the ECI to direct the CEO to establish facilitation centres in every polling station area, ensure adequate staffing, continue door-to-door distribution, and extend the submission deadline. It also called for a state-level monitoring mechanism, district grievance redressal centres, daily publication of progress, and special assistance for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and rural voters.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Karnataka CEO Denies 'Mass SIR' Charge, Says Electoral Roll Revision Follows ECI Norms
Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer V. Anbu Kumar rejected allegations by the BJP and JD(S) that the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls was being conducted as a 'mass SIR' exercise. He asserted the process is transparent and follows Election Commission of India (ECI) guidelines. Kumar stated that all District Election Officers have been instructed to ensure Booth Level Officers (BLOs) visit every household to hand over enumeration forms directly. He noted that every complaint from political parties and the public has been examined, reports have been sent to the ECI, and show-cause notices have been issued to 35 BLOs for alleged lapses. Kumar clarified that isolated instances of voters collecting forms from a common location do not violate ECI directions. He also confirmed that Booth Level Agents (BLAs) from recognized political parties may collect up to 50 filled enumeration forms per day, subject to verification by the BLO.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Karnataka official issued show cause notice over use of school children for voter verification
Authorities in Karnataka's Belagavi district have issued a show cause notice to a tehsildar after videos and pictures emerged showing booth level officers (BLOs) using school children to fill forms and affix photographs for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Maradimath village near Gokak. Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Roshan stated on July 8 that strict action will follow if allegations are proven, and an inquiry has been ordered. Separately, a joint delegation of the BJP and JD(S) met Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on July 7, alleging large-scale procedural violations in the SIR process, including bulk form filling at community halls, anganwadis, and mosques instead of mandatory door-to-door verification. The opposition also accused the ruling Congress of politically influencing the exercise. The Election Commission has been urged to order a re-verification of the electoral roll revision.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.NDA delegation petitions Election Commission over alleged irregularities in Karnataka electoral roll revision
A joint delegation of the BJP and JD(S), part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), met Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in New Delhi on July 7, 2026, to submit a memorandum alleging large-scale procedural violations in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Karnataka. The delegation, comprising Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi, H.D. Kumaraswamy, V. Somanna, and others, claimed that enumeration forms were being filled in bulk at community halls and mosques instead of through mandatory door-to-door verification by Booth Level Officers (BLOs). They also alleged that WhatsApp groups were used to mobilize people to these locations, and that relatives were accepted for verification without proper eligibility checks. The delegation urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to order a re-verification of all collected forms, ensure door-to-door verification, appoint Central Observers from outside Karnataka, and take legal action against responsible officials. The article also notes that 77% of enumeration forms had been distributed by the evening of July 7, but digitization remained at only 7.72%.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.NDA alleges irregularities in Karnataka electoral roll revision, demands re-verification
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Karnataka, led by Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, has formally complained to the Chief Electoral Officer about alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. In a letter submitted on July 6, 2026, the NDA delegation claimed that Booth Level Officers (BLOs) are violating Election Commission guidelines by filling enumeration forms in community halls, mosques, and their own residences instead of conducting mandatory door-to-door visits. The delegation, which includes Union Minister Pralhad Joshi and opposition leaders R. Ashok and Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, requested a re-verification of all forms and strict legal action against responsible officials. They argue that the alleged practices undermine the integrity and secular character of the electoral process. This follows earlier objections by the JD(S) regarding forms being distributed from a wedding hall, prompting the CEO to reiterate house-to-house enumeration rules.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Pralhad Joshi alleges ECI guideline violations in Special Intensive Revision in Karnataka
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has accused election officials of violating Election Commission of India (ECI) guidelines during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Karnataka. Speaking after participating in the SIR process at his residence in Hubballi on July 4, 2026, Joshi likened the process to 'mass copying' during exams, alleging that enumeration forms were being filled collectively in mosques, community halls, and other public places instead of through mandated door-to-door verification. He stated that a BJP delegation would soon meet the Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) with photographic and video evidence of the violations. Joshi clarified that the BJP does not seek voter additions or deletions based on religion, but only accurate electoral rolls. He urged voters to cooperate with Booth Level Officers (BLOs) visiting homes. Dharwad Deputy Commissioner Snehal R. and other BJP leaders were present during Joshi's enumeration.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Protocol Violations Alleged as Voter Roll Revision Enters Third Day in Karnataka
As the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls continued in Karnataka, allegations of Election Commission protocol violations emerged. The Janata Dal (Secular) flagged that Booth Level Officers in Ramanagara conducted an 'SIR camp' at a wedding hall instead of performing door-to-door distribution of enumeration forms. Separately, a viral video appeared to show a BJP Booth Level Agent handing out party pamphlets during a BLO's door-to-door visit. Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer V. Anbu Kumar stated that violations should be reported to District Election Officers, who are authorized to investigate. Meanwhile, over 1.12 crore forms had been distributed across the state in the first three days, with Kalaburagi recording the highest distribution.
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