Kumaraswamy alleges fresh SIR irregularities in Karnataka; plans to approach ECI
Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Friday (July 3, 2026) alleged fresh irregularities in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Karnataka, accusing
Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Friday (July 3, 2026) alleged fresh irregularities in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Karnataka, accusing the State Government of “misusing” the administrative machinery and violating the guidelines of the Election Commission of India (ECI). Addressing a press conference, the JD(S) leader released videos that he claimed showed violations during the SIR exercise in the Yeshwanthpur Assembly constituency. He alleged that officials were conducting the revision under the influence of the local MLA and not in accordance with the ECI’s prescribed procedures.
Kumaraswamy said he would personally approach the ECI with evidence of the alleged violations and sought action against the Deputy Commissioners of the Ramanagara and Bengaluru Urban districts. “The Chief Minister is the principal architect behind the entire SIR malpractice. I will meet the Election Commission and place before it all the evidence of the irregularities taking place across Karnataka,” he alleged. Not going door-to-door The Union Minister claimed that officials were not carrying out the mandatory door-to-door verification and instead were revising electoral rolls under “political influence”.
He also alleged that Congress workers and election officials were acting in collusion in Yeshwanthpur and that party workers had “caught an official red-handed” while “violating” the prescribed procedure. According to him, the official later apologised, while another official asked those present not to record videos. Kumaraswamy also referred to a video released by his party on Thursday (July 2, 2026), alleging that Booth Level Officers (BLOs) in Ramanagara had distributed enumeration forms from a community hall instead of visiting electors’ homes. He claimed that similar irregularities were taking place in Kunigal, Pavagada, Arkalgud and Indi Assembly constituencies.
‘Scrap the exercise’ Demanding that the ongoing exercise be scrapped, he alleged that the electoral roll revision lacked transparency and urged the ECI to conduct the process anew. He also sought deployment of independent officials to oversee the exercise, contending that officers currently handling the revision could not ensure a fair process. “Unless independent officers are brought in, the State Government will continue to misuse the SIR process for political purposes,” he alleged.
The BriefWire