Bengaluru, November 4, 2025 – In a nationwide push to fortify the foundations of democracy, Karnataka today launched the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of its electoral rolls, a comprehensive house-to-house verification drive aimed at purging discrepancies and ensuring every eligible citizen's voice is accurately captured. As part of the Election Commission of India's (ECI) ambitious SIR 2.0 initiative covering 12 states and Union Territories with nearly 51 crore voters, the exercise kicks off in the state amid heightened political scrutiny, with eyes on upcoming assembly polls that could reshape the Congress-dominated landscape.
The SIR, described by ECI as the "biggest voter verification drive in decades," began at 8 a.m. across Karnataka's 236 assembly constituencies, mobilizing over 50,000 Booth Level Officers (BLOs) for door-to-door enumeration. Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Karnataka, K. Gopalaiah, flagged off the campaign from Vidhana Soudha, emphasizing its role in "building an error-free electoral roll." "This isn't just a revision; it's a reset for fair elections. We'll add young voters, delete the deceased, and flag duplicates – all to prevent the ghost voting that plagued past polls," Gopalaiah told a gathering of district officials, armed with tablet-enabled forms for real-time data entry.
Under the three-phase rollout, the enumeration period runs until December 22, 2025, allowing BLOs to verify voter details against documents like Aadhaar, PAN, or ration cards. Eligible 18-19-year-olds can register on-the-spot, while claims and objections will be entertained until January 22, 2026, culminating in the final publication of revised rolls on February 7, 2026. In Karnataka alone, the drive targets over 5.2 crore electors, with a special focus on urban slums in Bengaluru and rural pockets in Kalyana Karnataka, where past revisions uncovered up to 10% invalid entries.
The timing couldn't be more charged. With the 2028 assembly elections looming and the Congress facing internal rifts, parties are already mobilizing. State BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra welcomed the SIR but cautioned against "selective deletions" that could disenfranchise loyal voters. "We've seen how revisions can be weaponized – our karyakartas will monitor every BLO visit," he said in a party briefing. On the other hand, Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala hailed it as a "pro-poor measure," pointing to provisions for migrant laborers and transgender inclusions. "Siddaramaiah's government stands with the ECI to ensure no eligible voter is left behind," he added.
Civil society groups, however, have raised alarms over logistical hurdles. The Karnataka Voters' Rights Forum, led by activist V.T. Rajshekar, flagged potential exclusion of nomadic tribes and daily wagers who miss BLO visits due to work. "With only 45 days for enumeration, we need more BLOs in remote areas like Uttara Kannada," Rajshekar urged, calling for a helpline extension beyond the existing 1950 toll-free number. The ECI, in response, has deployed mobile verification vans in high-density zones and launched a voter awareness app in Kannada, integrating QR codes for instant roll checks.
This SIR builds on the 2024 pilot, which added 1.5 lakh new voters in Karnataka but exposed gaps like 2 lakh deceased entries lingering on lists. Nationally, the drive – spanning states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh – aims to slash bogus votes by 20%, aligning with the ECI's 'One Nation, One Voter ID' vision. In Karnataka, early reports from Mysuru and Belagavi indicate smooth starts, with over 10,000 verifications logged by noon.
As BLOs fan out with voter slips and checklists, Karnataka's streets buzz with a mix of civic duty and electoral anticipation. For residents like 19-year-old engineering student Priya from Hubballi, it's a rite of passage: "My first vote – I won't miss it because of a paperwork glitch." Yet, for democracy's guardians, success hinges on vigilance. The SIR isn't just about numbers; it's about nurturing a ballot box beyond reproach.
TCO News will monitor the SIR's progress, including any discrepancies flagged in key constituencies. Voters can check their status at voters.eci.gov.in or dial 1950 for assistance.
For More News Updates Follow Us On Www.tconews.in
