NDA Leaders File Complaint Over Karnataka Voter Roll Irregularities

A delegation from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), including Union Ministers HD Kumaraswamy and Pralhad Joshi, submitted a formal complaint to Karnataka's Chief Electoral Officer V. Anbukumar on July 6, 2026. The delegation alleged massive irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls that began on June 30. They claimed Booth Level Officers are bypassing mandatory door-to-door verifications by processing enumeration forms at mosques, community halls, and private residences.

Opposition leaders, including BJP MLA GB Jyothi Ganesh, accused the Congress-led state government of pressuring officials to illegally enroll immigrants and anti-nationals to inflate the party's vote share. HD Kumaraswamy demanded that the Election Commission of India scrap the current exercise and appoint an outside officer to oversee a fresh revision, threatening to escalate the matter to New Delhi.

Chief Minister DK Shivakumar rejected these allegations, stating the government will not interfere in the SIR process. He countered that the opposition is attempting to deprive poor and minority communities of their voting rights. Shivakumar asserted that the administration is merely conducting awareness campaigns and establishing help centers to protect eligible citizens' franchise.

In response to the conflict, Chief Electoral Officer V. Anbukumar instructed district officials to ensure that all Booth Level Officers strictly adhere to federal guidelines and conduct mandatory house-to-house visits. The enumeration phase is scheduled to continue through July 29, with the final records due by August 5.