Karnataka Chief Minister rules out government’s interference in SIR, accuses Opposition of denying voting rights of poor

Published 6 July 2026 · politics

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Monday ruled out any interference by the State government in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, asserting that

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Monday ruled out any interference by the State government in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, asserting that the exercise was entirely under the purview of the Election Commission of India (ECI). He accused the Opposition of attempting to deprive the poor and minorities of their voting rights. “The SIR is a process undertaken by the ECI, and the government has no role in it. Taking away the voting rights of the poor and minorities is a ploy by the Opposition parties,” Mr. Shivakumar told reporters here. His remarks came after a delegation of NDA leaders submitted a formal complaint to Chief Electoral Officer V. Anbukumar, alleging “massive irregularities” in the SIR process.

Responding to the allegations, the Chief Minister said no other State had extended as much cooperation to the Election Commission as Karnataka. “We have our own differences with the ECI on the SIR exercise. We have already presented our arguments before the court, and the court has delivered its verdict. We are dissatisfied with the schedule fixed for the process and will also challenge it before the court. At the same time, our government has worked closely with the Election Commission to ensure that every eligible citizen’s voting rights are protected. No other State has cooperated with the ECI to the extent that Karnataka has,” he said. Shivakumar said the government had also been conducting awareness campaigns urging people to safeguard their franchise, conveying the message that “your right to vote is your right to life”.

He alleged that the BJP and the JD(S) were uncomfortable with the awareness being created among voters. The Chief Minister said the Election Commission had permitted all political parties to appoint Booth Level Agents (BLAs) for the revision exercise and that the Congress, BJP, and the JD(S) had all nominated their representatives. “Officials are functioning strictly in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Election Commission. The Opposition is now expressing a lack of faith in the ECI itself and is demanding that the SIR process be cancelled. That is a matter for the Election Commission to decide,” he said. Questioning the BJP and the JD(S), Mr. Shivakumar asked why they had failed to identify and deport illegal immigrants when they were in power.