Congress to monitor Karnataka SIR, warns against deletion of eligible voters
Synopsis
Congress's Karnataka unit is sounding the alarm over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, warning that eligible voters — disproportionately from weaker sections — are being deleted. KPCC chief B.K. Hariprasad has put the BJP on notice and is demanding the Election Commission open weekend windows for objections, framing the fight as one for the foundations of democracy itself.
Key Takeaways
Hariprasad alleged on Tuesday that the BJP is politicising Karnataka's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Congress convened a meeting with candidates who lost the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections to gather constituency-level information on voter deletions.
Hariprasad flagged that a large number of deleted voters belong to weaker sections of society.
The party called on the Election Commission of India to provide objection forms every Saturday and Sunday during the SIR period.
Congress also discussed drought relief for Kalyana Karnataka and attacked the BJP–JD(S) alliance at the same press conference.
Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President B.K. Hariprasad on Tuesday alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is attempting to politicise the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Karnataka, and asserted that the Congress would closely monitor the exercise to prevent eligible voters from being struck off the rolls.
Congress Raises Alarm Over Voter Deletions
Addressing a press conference at the KPCC office in Bengaluru, Hariprasad said the party had convened a meeting with candidates who contested and lost the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections to gather ground-level information about the SIR process across constituencies. He expressed particular concern that a disproportionate number of voters whose names had been deleted belonged to weaker sections of society.
'We will meet the respective district election officers and discuss the matter,' he said, signalling that the party intends to escalate its concerns through formal channels.
Patchy Cooperation From Booth Level Officers
Hariprasad acknowledged that while several Booth Level Officers (BLOs) were cooperating with the revision process, there were also instances where some BLOs were not cooperating. He called on the Election Commission of India (ECI) to provide application forms and adequate opportunities every Saturday and Sunday so that eligible voters could raise objections and protect their voting rights.
'Our concern is that the names of eligible voters should not be removed from the electoral rolls. Having the right to vote is a fundamental right,' Hariprasad said, clarifying that the Congress was not opposed to the SIR exercise itself but to any irregularities in its conduct.
What the Congress Is Demanding
The party has made clear it is running a monitoring campaign even in constituencies where it does not have elected representatives. 'We are not against SIR. But we are in favour of ensuring that the process is carried out properly. Democracy stands on electoral rolls, and our fight is to protect them,' Hariprasad said. The Congress also discussed drought relief measures for Kalyana Karnataka at the same meeting, using the gathering to flag multiple governance concerns.
Sharp Attack on BJP and Yediyurappa
Hariprasad also launched a pointed attack on former Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, alleging corruption. He further criticised the BJP–Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)) alliance, alleging that its leaders had undertaken a padayatra after failing to deliver during their tenure in office.
Former MLC Narayanaswamy and former mayor Ramachandrappa were present at the press conference. The Congress's scrutiny of the SIR process is likely to intensify as the revision exercise progresses ahead of future elections in the state.
Point of View
And flagging them early builds a narrative of disenfranchisement that can be deployed electorally. Yet the party's own record on proactively enrolling voters in its strongholds is uneven. The real question is whether this mobilisation translates into systematic legal objections or remains a press-conference posture. The BJP's alleged politicisation charge is serious but, notably, Hariprasad offered no specific evidence beyond BLO non-cooperation — a gap that weakens an otherwise legitimate concern about democratic integrity.
NationPress
1 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Karnataka?
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a periodic exercise conducted by the Election Commission of India to update voter lists by adding eligible new voters and removing ineligible entries. In Karnataka, the current round has drawn scrutiny after reports that names of eligible voters — particularly from weaker sections — have been deleted.
Why is the Congress monitoring the SIR process in Karnataka?
The Congress alleges that a disproportionate number of eligible voters, especially from weaker sections, are being removed from the rolls, and that some Booth Level Officers are not cooperating with the process. KPCC chief B.K. Hariprasad said the party will meet district election officers to raise these concerns formally.
What has the Congress demanded from the Election Commission over the SIR?
The Congress has urged the Election Commission of India to make application forms available and provide adequate opportunities every Saturday and Sunday so that eligible voters can file objections and protect their voting rights during the revision period.
Who is B.K. Hariprasad and what did he say about the BJP?
B.K. Hariprasad is the President of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC). He alleged that the BJP is attempting to politicise the SIR exercise, and separately launched a sharp attack on former Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, alleging corruption. He also criticised the BJP–JD(S) alliance over its governance record.
Is the Congress opposed to the SIR exercise itself?
No. Hariprasad explicitly stated that the Congress is not against the SIR process. The party's concern is that the exercise must be conducted properly and that no eligible voter should lose their right to vote as a result of administrative lapses or alleged political interference.
