Karnataka SIR: Over 80% Enumeration Forms distributed, says CEO Anbu Kumar
Synopsis
With 80.85% of Enumeration Forms out and four constituencies already at 100%, Karnataka's SIR exercise is on track in rural belts — but urban Bengaluru is dragging at as low as 35%, and NDA allegations of irregularities have turned a routine electoral revision into a political flashpoint.
Key Takeaways
Anbu Kumar confirmed 80.85 per cent of Enumeration Forms distributed as of 8 July .
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) runs from 30 June to 29 July across 224 Assembly constituencies .
1,30,975 forms remain undelivered — 53,430 due to deceased voters, 65,479 due to permanent migration.
Bommanahalli recorded the lowest distribution at 35 per cent ; Devadurga , Kumta , Hirekerur , and Mayakonda hit 100 per cent .
More than 56 lakh forms — about 10 per cent of total — have been digitised so far.
NDA leaders have filed a complaint with the ECI alleging irregularities in the SIR process.
Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) V. Anbu Kumar on Wednesday, 8 July announced that 80.85 per cent of Enumeration Forms have been distributed across the state as part of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Anbu Kumar assured political parties that all complaints are being addressed strictly in accordance with the Election Commission of India (ECI)'s directions.
Progress of the SIR Exercise
The SIR process, which commenced on 30 June, is scheduled to run until 29 July. Of Karnataka's 224 Assembly constituencies, 112 have achieved more than 90 per cent distribution, while 169 constituencies have crossed the 80 per cent mark. Among the top performers, Chitradurga led with 98.95 per cent distribution as of 2 pm on Wednesday, followed by Davanagere (98.74 per cent), Karwar (98.66 per cent), Mandya (97.65 per cent), and Vijayanagara (97.57 per cent).
Four constituencies — Devadurga, Kumta, Hirekerur, and Mayakonda — have already achieved 100 per cent distribution, while Karwar, Mulbagal, Melukote, Rona, and Hiriyur have crossed 99 per cent.
Urban Areas Lag Behind
Distribution has been notably slower in urban centres. Bommanahalli recorded the lowest rate at 35 per cent, followed by Bengaluru South at 39.95 per cent and Govindarajanagar at 40 per cent. City corporations including Kalaburagi, Mysuru, Belagavi, and Tumakuru also reported slower progress.
'Distribution has been relatively slow in urban areas, particularly within Bengaluru city limits... However, there is still sufficient time to complete the distribution process, and necessary instructions have been issued to the concerned officials,' Anbu Kumar said.
Undelivered Forms and Accountability
Officials have identified 1,30,975 Enumeration Forms that could not be delivered. Of these, 53,430 were undeliverable because the registered voters are deceased, 65,479 due to permanent migration, 9,174 because voters are already enrolled elsewhere, 2,314 due to voter absence, and 573 for other reasons including refusal to sign.
Anbu Kumar clarified that Booth Level Officers (BLOs) cannot retain undistributed forms without recording a valid reason. Lists of uncollectable forms are to be shared with Booth Level Agents (BLAs) through BLOs and will also be uploaded to the official website. Karnataka currently has 1,24,018 BLAs appointed by various political parties to assist in the process.
Political Controversy and Party Complaints
The SIR exercise has become a flashpoint of political debate. NDA leaders have submitted a complaint to the Election Commission of India alleging irregularities in the implementation of the revision and seeking re-verification of the electoral rolls. Anbu Kumar met with representatives of political parties before the press conference and assured them their suggestions would be considered.
Progress reports are being shared with recognised political parties every two hours, the CEO added. 'I request political parties to inform us if any voter has been wrongly classified by a BLO or if they find any eligible voter missing from the list. Appropriate action will be taken,' he said.
Digitisation Running in Parallel
Digitisation of Enumeration Forms is progressing simultaneously with distribution. So far, approximately 10 per cent of forms — amounting to more than 56 lakh — have been digitised. Mayakonda and Devadurga lead digitisation at 34 per cent, followed by Chikkaballapur (33 per cent), Maski (30 per cent), Sindhanur (29 per cent), and Molakalmuru (28 per cent).
With nearly three weeks remaining in the SIR window, the pace of distribution in Bengaluru and other urban centres will be the critical variable determining whether Karnataka completes the exercise on schedule.
Point of View
The state's largest voter pool, sitting at sub-40 per cent in key constituencies is not a logistical footnote; it is the story. The NDA's complaint to the ECI adds a political dimension that could complicate the final phase: if re-verification is ordered, the timeline becomes extremely tight. The two-hourly progress updates to parties are a transparency measure worth noting, but transparency without timely urban catch-up will not be enough to insulate the SIR from a credibility challenge.
NationPress
8 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Karnataka?
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is an exercise ordered by the Election Commission of India to update Karnataka's electoral rolls by distributing Enumeration Forms to every eligible voter. It runs from 30 June to 29 July 2025, covering all 224 Assembly constituencies in the state.
How many Enumeration Forms have been distributed in Karnataka so far?
As of 8 July, 80.85 per cent of Enumeration Forms have been distributed across Karnataka. Of the state's 224 Assembly constituencies, 112 have crossed 90 per cent distribution and 169 have crossed 80 per cent.
Why are some areas lagging in form distribution?
Urban areas, particularly within Bengaluru city limits and city corporations such as Kalaburagi, Mysuru, Belagavi, and Tumakuru, have recorded slower distribution. Bommanahalli is the lowest at 35 per cent, which the CEO attributed to the logistical challenges of dense urban settings.
What happens to Enumeration Forms that could not be delivered?
Officials have identified 1,30,975 undelivered forms. Booth Level Officers must record a reason for non-delivery — such as voter being deceased, permanently migrated, or enrolled elsewhere — and share the list with Booth Level Agents. The lists will also be published on the official website.
Why has the SIR exercise become politically controversial in Karnataka?
NDA leaders have submitted a complaint to the Election Commission of India alleging irregularities in the SIR's implementation and seeking re-verification of the electoral rolls. The Karnataka CEO has assured all parties that complaints are being addressed per ECI directions and that suggestions from party representatives will be considered.
