As the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls gets underway in Karnataka, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has warned citizens against losing their voting rights. Urging people to ensure that their names remain on the electoral rolls, the Chief Minister cautioned that those who lose their voting rights will also face the loss of government benefits. Describing the right to vote as the right to live, Shivakumar pointed to West Bengal, where an order has been issued to verify and delete ineligible ration beneficiaries based on a similar exercise. He noted that other states are taking comparable measures, stressing that losing the right to vote could have direct consequences on state welfare.
The Election Commission's house-to-house enumeration exercise across Karnataka runs until July 29. To support citizens during this period, the state government has announced it will issue permanent residential certificates, which will serve as official proof of residence. The Revenue Department has released comprehensive guidelines allowing citizens to obtain these certificates both online and offline. Applications can be submitted through the Seva Sindhu portal or in person at citizen service centres such as Atal Jana Snehi Kendras, Nadakacheris, Bengaluru One, Karnataka One, and Grama One.
Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer Anbukumar confirmed that the revision will cover more than 5.5 crore electors across the state. A massive administrative effort has been deployed, including 59,050 trained Booth Level Officers (BLOs), 7,556 BLO Supervisors, and hundreds of registration officers. Moreover, over 1.1 lakh Booth Level Agents appointed by various political parties have undergone training. Anbukumar stated that two sets of Enumeration Forms have already been printed and distributed to all BLOs, who are visiting homes to hand them out to electors listed on the register as of June 16, 2026.
During these visits, households that receive the forms will be marked with a violet square sticker, whilst locked houses will get a red round sticker. Officers will make up at least three visits where necessary to collect the completed paperwork. The Election Commission has clarified that no supporting documents will be collected during this initial enumeration phase, with Anbukumar appealing to voters to simply fill out, sign, and return the forms to the visiting officers. Seeking to allay any public anxiety regarding the exercise, the Chief Electoral Officer assured citizens that the entire process follows the strict directions of the Election Commission of India and complies fully with the law. Daily updates on the progress of the enumeration will be issued, with the draft electoral roll scheduled for publication on August 5, followed by a window for claims and objections before the final roll is published on October 7.
Also read: Not discontinuing Gruha Lakshmi guarantees: CM Shivakumar
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