Karnataka Electoral Roll Revision Sparks Political Conflict and Probes

The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka reported that 77.18% of enumeration forms have been distributed as part of a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the state's electoral rolls. By July 7, 2026, 42,782,130 forms were issued to an electorate of 55,432,314, though digitization rates remained low at 7.72%. The process, which began on June 30 with house-to-house verification, has identified 100,843 electors for removal due to death or permanent relocation.

The revision has triggered a political dispute. Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and H.D. Kumaraswamy accused Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and the state government of violating Election Commission of India guidelines and attempting to derail the SIR. Conversely, D.K. Shivakumar claimed the opposition is attempting to deprive poor and minority communities of their voting rights.

Operational controversies emerged in Belagavi, where Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Roshan ordered a probe after allegations that schoolchildren were used for enumeration at a government school. Simultaneously, a delegation from the NDA Karnataka met Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in New Delhi. The delegation submitted a memorandum alleging irregularities and demanded the immediate suspension of the SIR, the appointment of external Central Observers, and a full re-verification of all collected forms.