Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Denounces Electoral Roll Revision Targeting Minorities

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Friday slammed the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, asserting it was designed to undermine votes of Scheduled Castes, backward communities, and minorities. Shivakumar emphasized the Congress government's commitment to informing party leaders across political boundaries about protecting voter rights.

'We are gathering all relevant information and educating party leaders, including those from the BJP, to safeguard votes,' Shivakumar informed reporters. He accused the exercise of unfairly targeting vulnerable communities but assured that efforts were in place to protect their voting rights.

Shivakumar noted that substantial voter mapping had been completed in Karnataka, ensuring that all eligible voters remain included in the electoral process. This follows the Election Commission of India announcing the SIR Phase-III exercise, which covers 16 states and three Union Territories, involving over 36 crore electors.

The ECI stated the exercise is coordinated with ongoing Census house listing, utilizing over 3.94 lakh Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and 3.42 lakh Booth Level Agents (BLAs) for verification. Political parties were encouraged to appoint BLAs for transparency.

Previous phases of the SIR covered over 59 crore electors with participation from BLOs and BLAs. The schedule outlines timelines for Karnataka and other regions, aiming for comprehensive electoral roll updates by October 2026.

(With inputs from agencies.)