Karnataka, June 01 : The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls commenced across Karnataka on Tuesday, triggering a fresh political confrontation between the Congress led state government and the Election Commission of India (ECI). Senior Congress leaders accused the poll panel of functioning under pressure from the Union government and demanded significant changes to the ongoing voter verification exercise.
Speaking to reporters, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge alleged that the Election Commission had failed to address concerns repeatedly raised by the state government regarding the implementation of the Special Intensive Revision process. He claimed that despite submitting multiple objections, the state was yet to receive any response from the Chief Election Commissioner.
Kharge said the Karnataka government had formally raised 12 objections related to the manner in which the SIR exercise was being conducted. According to him, the government expected the Election Commission to engage with these concerns before beginning the revision process, but no official communication had been received.
The Congress leader further accused the Election Commission of lacking independence and alleged that the institution was acting under the influence of the Central government. He argued that the voter verification exercise should remain transparent and impartial, asserting that public confidence in the electoral process depends on the neutrality of the constitutional body responsible for conducting elections.
The controversy comes after the Karnataka Cabinet recently adopted a resolution seeking substantial modifications to the Special Intensive Revision exercise before its implementation. The state government maintained that the revision process should be carried out only after addressing procedural concerns raised by various stakeholders.
Among the key demands was the appointment of an independent mechanism to review the SIR exercise and ensure that the revision is conducted fairly and transparently. The Cabinet also sought an extension of the deadline for submitting Enumeration Forms, recommending that citizens be given at least three months instead of the existing schedule to complete the documentation process.
The state government further called for greater transparency in the software systems, verification criteria, and operational procedures being used during voter verification. It argued that voters should clearly understand how electoral data is being verified and updated to avoid confusion and unnecessary disputes.
Another major concern highlighted by the Karnataka government was the possibility of arbitrary deletion of genuine voters from the electoral rolls. The Cabinet urged the Election Commission to introduce stronger safeguards that would prevent eligible citizens from being removed without proper verification and due process.
The government also requested broader acceptance of identity documents during the verification exercise. In particular, it proposed that Karnataka’s Kutumba ID should be recognised as a valid supporting document to simplify the verification process for residents across the state.
Additionally, the Cabinet opposed any procedure that places the burden of proving eligibility solely on citizens. It argued that electoral authorities should adopt a more citizen-friendly approach while verifying voter details and ensure that legitimate voters are not inconvenienced.
The resolution also emphasised the need for special protections for vulnerable sections of society. It recommended dedicated safeguards for women, migrant workers, slum residents, persons with disabilities, transgender persons, and other groups who may face practical challenges in completing the verification process.
The Karnataka government maintained that the integrity of electoral rolls is essential for free and fair elections but stressed that the revision process must remain inclusive, transparent, and accessible to every eligible voter. It said electoral reforms should strengthen democratic participation rather than create barriers for citizens.
The Election Commission has not yet publicly responded to the specific objections raised by the Karnataka government regarding the Special Intensive Revision exercise. As the voter roll verification continues across the state, the issue is expected to remain at the centre of political debate in the coming weeks, with both the state government and the Election Commission under close public scrutiny.