Karnataka NDA Leaders Allege Irregularities in Electoral Roll Revision, Seek Inquiry

The NDA leaders in Karnataka, including Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, have written to Chief Electoral Officer V. Anbu Kumar alleging irregularities in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. They have requested an immediate inquiry and re-verification of all enumeration forms through mandatory door-to-door visits.

In a letter submitted on July 6, the delegation—comprising Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, Leader of Opposition R. Ashok, Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, and JD(S) leader C.B. Suresh Babu—argued that officials were showing 'zero regard for the approved process', undermining the spirit of democracy. They called for strict legal action against those responsible.

The letter stated that Booth Level Officers (BLOs) are required to visit every household for verification, but instead were filling enumeration forms from community halls, mosques, and their own residences. It also alleged that WhatsApp groups were used to direct people to these locations instead of conducting door-to-door visits.

The NDA leaders claimed this violated SIR guidelines and raised concerns about the neutrality and secular character of the electoral process. They warned that such practices could result in an 'unsustainable and unreliable electoral roll'.

Earlier, on July 3, the CEO had directed officials to strictly follow Election Commission guidelines after JD(S) raised objections about forms being distributed from a wedding hall in Ramanagara.