On 6th July (Monday), a significant controversy has erupted regarding the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral records in Karnataka. Janata Dal (Secular) MLA MT Krishnappa highlighted that forms were being completed at mosques, Shadi Mahals and choultries rather than being directly handed over to households during the drive, which commenced on 30th June. He mentioned that a video revealing this has already been showcased to Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy.
“They are not following the rules. Every BLO (Booth Level Officer) should visit every house, and every household should be covered through the Gram Panchayat. Therefore, all the recently distributed SIR forms should be stopped immediately. Every BLO should go door to door, and the entire exercise should begin afresh,” he expressed.
“Kumaraswamy has already informed the BDO, given a statement and reviewed the matter. That is why I support Kumaraswamy’s stand,” Krishnappa added.
कांग्रेस शासित राज्य कर्नाटक में SIR प्रोटोकॉल की उड़ रही धज्जियां
— OpIndia.tv (@OpIndia_tv) July 4, 2026
घर-घर सत्यापन छोड़ मैरिज हॉल और मस्जिदों में कैंप लगा रहे हैं BLO pic.twitter.com/NO32hq9GTC
A day earlier, BJP MLA GB Jyothi Ganesh likewise shared grave concerns about the exercise being carried out by the Election Commission of India (ECI) in the state. He charged that the officers on the ground were not correctly following the directives of the top poll body.
“In a lot of places, complaints have come that some BLOs and government officers are gathering a lot of crowds, especially the minority crowd, in mosques and open spaces. I think they are doing this based on the instructions from the Congress party. They are not acting as per the instructions given by the Election Commission of India. Every Indian citizen should be eligible to vote,” Ganesh asserted.
He pointed out, “BLOs were supposed to go house to house in each booth and paste a sticker on the door of the house to guarantee that they had given the enumeration form.”
The BJP leader declared, “We don’t want anti-nationals, people from outside the country, and illegal immigrants to be given the voting right. I think the Congress government in Karnataka is provoking and pressurising these BLOs to illegally enrol immigrants to increase their vote share.”
A letter submitted to Karnataka CEO
A formal complaint is also submitted to Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer V Anbukumar by a group of NDA leaders, including Kumaraswamy, Pralhad Joshi, R Ashoka, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy and others who stated that authorities were exhibiting “zero regard for the approved process.” They wanted a comprehensive investigation, stern legal punishment against authorities and political functionaries found accountable for the anomalies. They also demanded an obligatory door-to-door re-verification of all enumeration forms.
“We write to express serious concern over the massive irregularities in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise of the electoral rolls in the state of Karnataka. The officials who are supposed to conduct the SIR are showing zero regard for the approved process, thereby undermining the very spirit of democracy,” the letter read.
Additionally, it pointed out that multiple grievances from various regions of the state had been received. The NDA leaders conveyed that mosques, community halls and BLO homes were being used to fill the forms. They further mentioned that WhatsApp groups have been set up specifically for this activity and people are urged to arrive at these locations for the purpose.
“Such a practice is a breach of the established SIR guidelines and raises serious concerns regarding the neutrality and secular character of the electoral process. The SIR is conducted to strengthen the integrity of the electoral rolls, but the manner in which BLOs are conducting the exercise is defeating the very purpose of the revision,” they stated and demanded strict action against all the perpetrators responsible for the irregularities.
“The entire machinery is being misused. They are doing this, SIR, in mosques and other places, which is a violation. BLOs are confused too,” union minister Pralhad Joshi expressed. The delegation charged that evidence of these infractions had been disseminated on social media and covered by certain media outlets as well.
The Karnataka Congress government has been continuously attacked by the opposition parties for “facilitating the inclusion of illegal immigrants.” They published videos showing BLOs conducting mass enumeration camps as opposed to house-to-house verification. The Congress government was also accused of “diluting” the drive and “misusing” staff.
Kumaraswamy questions Congress leaders.
Kumaraswamy blasted Home Minister Priyank Kharge and KPCC President BK Hariprasad for their conspicuous silence on the matter. “Poor fellow. I don’t know where the KPCC President has disappeared. Despite all this chaos unfolding, he is nowhere to be seen. He comments on virtually every issue, every single day. The State Home Minister, too, issues statements on almost everything. Should he not speak about the irregularities in the SIR process? Those who lecture everyone about discipline and restraint should surely have something to say about this as well. They are always the first to lecture others. The SIR issue is being discussed across the length and breadth of the State. I am surprised by the silence of both the Home Minister and the KPCC President,” he stated.
The union minister stated, “There is no credibility left in the electoral roll revision exercise being conducted in Karnataka. We have already lodged a complaint with the State Election Commission and have also sent a complaint to the Election Commission of India. The State election authorities have said they will act in accordance with the directions received from the Commission. Our party’s unequivocal demand is that the entire revision exercise conducted so far must be scrapped.”
He announced that he will file a formal complaint with the Election Commissioner and, on Monday, will share the details of the irregularities, remarking, “We will urge the Election Commission to immediately halt the entire process carried out so far in Karnataka and conduct the SIR exercise afresh.”
