Bengaluru: The Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) has urged the Chief Electoral Officer of Karnataka to ensure that no eligible voter is disenfranchised during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls, expressing concern over reports that more than 80 lakh names could be deleted.
In a letter to the Chief Electoral Officer, KPCC Media Wing President and Legislative Council member Ramesh Babu cited media reports claiming that nearly 15% of the state’s voters had been identified under categories such as absentee, shifted, multiple registration and other classifications. He alleged that deleting names without proper verification could deprive thousands of eligible citizens of their constitutional right to vote.
Ramesh Babu called for fresh physical verification of all voters identified as absent or shifted, mandatory prior notices before deleting names, the establishment of voter help centres at the village, ward and booth levels, and the publication of constituency-wise verification data. He also sought participation of recognised political parties in the verification process and special assistance for senior citizens, women, persons with disabilities, students and migrant workers.
The Congress leader also alleged that some individuals and organisations were spreading misinformation about voter registration and urged the Election Commission to issue a public clarification and take legal action against those found deliberately circulating false information.
Stating that the objective of the SIR exercise should be to remove only ineligible voters, Ramesh Babu urged the Election Commission to ensure that no eligible voter loses the right to vote due to administrative or procedural lapses.
