SIR in Karnataka: NDA alleges BLOs filling enumeration forms in community halls, mosques, and even their own residences

Published 6 July 2026 · india

Alleging ‘irregularities’ in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Karnataka, NDA leaders led by Union Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy have written

Alleging ‘irregularities’ in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Karnataka, NDA leaders led by Union Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy have written to Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) V. Anbu Kumar seeking an immediate inquiry into the exercise. The NDA delegation, including Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, Leader of Opposition R. Ashok, Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, and JD(S) party leader C.B. Suresh Babu submitted a letter on July 6 to the CEO, requesting ‘re-verification’ of all enumeration forms through mandatory door-to-door visits, and strict legal action against officials and political functionaries found responsible for the alleged irregularities.

In the letter, the NDA leaders argued that officials responsible for conducting the SIR were showing ‘zero regard for the approved process’, thereby ‘undermining the very spirit of democracy’. The letter pointed out that the guidelines require Booth Level Officers (BLOs), under the supervision of the District Election Officer, to visit every household, verify the identity of each family member in person, and carry out door-to-door verification. However, this was not happening in many places, the leaders alleged. “Instead of visiting homes, BLOs were filling enumeration forms from community halls, mosques, and even their own residences,” the letter stated, further claiming that WhatsApp groups had been created to carry out the exercise, and that people were being asked to come to community halls and mosques to get their forms filled.

The NDA leaders argued that this was a clear violation of SIR guidelines, and raises ‘serious concerns regarding the neutrality and secular character of the electoral process’. They said the SIR was meant to improve the accuracy and integrity of the electoral rolls, but ‘the manner in which BLOs are conducting the exercise is defeating the very purpose of the revision’.

“If such practices continued, they would result in an unsustainable and unreliable electoral roll,” the letter stated. Recently, after the JD(S) raised objections to enumeration forms being distributed from a wedding hall in Ramanagara Town Municipal Council, the CEO, on July 3, directed officials to strictly follow the Election Commission of India (ECI) guidelines and ensure house-to-house distribution of enumeration forms.