Karnataka SIR row: 95% notices delivered, 12.82 lakh hearings pending
Synopsis
Karnataka's SIR controversy is intensifying even as the CEO's office reports 95% notice delivery — with over 12.82 lakh hearings still pending and Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar demanding the entire exercise be scrapped, the electoral roll's final shape before October 22 could have significant political consequences for the state.
Key Takeaways
The Karnataka CEO's office reports 41,63,368 of 43,82,296 SIR notices delivered — a 95% delivery rate as of 25 September .
12,82,486 hearings remain pending; the last hearing date is 12 October and the final disposal deadline is 22 October .
Karnataka's electoral roll currently lists 4,48,44,080 electors, including 2,873 transgender electors.
A total of 19,48,164 applications were received through Forms 6, 6A, 7, and 8 between 16 June and 24 September .
Shivakumar has called for the SIR process to be scrapped, citing risks to poor and disadvantaged voters.
The Election Commission maintains the SIR provides voters a formal route to establish eligibility and submit required documents.
Amid a sharpening political row over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer's (CEO) office on Friday, 25 September released fresh data showing that 41,63,368 of the 43,82,296 notices generated across the state have been delivered — a delivery rate of 95 per cent. As of the same date, 2,18,928 notices remain undelivered, while 12,82,486 hearings are still pending.
State of the SIR Process
Of the notices successfully delivered, hearings have been completed in 28,80,882 cases. The last hearing under the notice process is scheduled for 12 October, with 22 October fixed as the final date for disposal of claims and objections. The CEO's office has published district-wise breakdowns of both notices and hearings on its official website.
As of 25 September, Karnataka's electoral roll stands at 4,48,44,080 electors — comprising 2,22,55,071 male, 2,25,86,136 female, and 2,873 transgender electors.
Applications Received and Forms in Play
Between 16 June and 24 September, a total of 19,48,164 applications were received through Forms 6, 6A, 7, and 8. Of these, 7,70,988 were Form 6 applications (for inclusion of names), 4,551 were Form 6A applications, 61,130 were Form 7 applications (for objections to inclusion or deletion requests), and 11,11,495 were Form 8 applications. Notably, the CEO's office confirmed that no objections to proposed inclusions had been received under the relevant category.
Assembly constituency-wise details of claims and objections received through Forms 9, 10, 11, 11A, and 11B have also been made available. Additionally, following requests from registered and recognised political parties, lists of persons issued notices under the 'No Mapping' and 'Anomalies' categories have been published on the CEO's website.
What the Election Commission Says
The Election Commission of India has maintained that the SIR exercise provides voters with a formal opportunity to establish their eligibility and submit required documentation. The CEO's office has issued instructions permitting an adult family member to appear on behalf of senior citizens, persons with disabilities, sick electors, and overseas electors before the Electoral Registration Officer or Assistant Electoral Registration Officer to submit necessary documents.
Political Controversy and CM's Demand
The data release comes as political temperatures rise over the SIR process. The Indian National Congress (INC) has raised concerns about voter deletions and the manner in which notices are being issued, warning that the exercise could disenfranchise genuine voters. Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Thursday called for the SIR process to be scrapped entirely, arguing that poor and disadvantaged communities face the greatest risk of wrongful exclusion.
This is not the first time electoral roll revision exercises have drawn political fire in Karnataka; concerns over large-scale deletions have surfaced in multiple earlier revision cycles. The final electoral roll is expected to be published after 22 October, once the claims and objections window closes, making the next few weeks critical for any voter seeking reinstatement or correction.
Point of View
But the 12.82 lakh pending hearings — with barely three weeks to the October 22 deadline — raises serious process questions. Electoral roll revisions of this scale carry inherent risks of administrative error, and Karnataka's history with large-scale deletions is well-documented. Chief Minister Shivakumar's demand to scrap the exercise is politically motivated, but it taps into a genuine concern: in a state with a fragmented electorate and tight assembly seats, even a small-percentage wrongful deletion can alter outcomes. The Election Commission's insistence on due process through forms and hearings is structurally sound, but the ground reality — especially for marginalised voters without documents — rarely matches the procedural design.
NationPress
25 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Karnataka Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls?
The SIR is a large-scale review of Karnataka's voter rolls initiated by the Chief Electoral Officer's office to verify and update elector details across the state. It involves issuing notices to electors, conducting hearings, and processing claims and objections before publishing a revised final roll.
What is the current status of SIR notices and hearings in Karnataka?
As of 25 September, 41,63,368 of the 43,82,296 notices generated have been delivered — a 95% delivery rate. Hearings have been completed in 28,80,882 cases, while 12,82,486 hearings remain pending before the 12 October deadline.
What are the key upcoming deadlines in the SIR process?
The last hearing under the notice process is scheduled for 12 October. The final date for disposal of claims and objections is 22 October, after which the revised electoral roll is expected to be published.
Why has Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar demanded that the SIR be scrapped?
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar called for scrapping the SIR on Thursday, warning that genuine voters — particularly from poor and disadvantaged communities — risk being wrongfully excluded from the electoral roll. The Congress has also raised broader concerns about voter deletions and the notice-issuance process.
Who can appear on behalf of a voter unable to attend an SIR hearing?
The CEO's office has issued instructions allowing an adult family member to appear on behalf of senior citizens, persons with disabilities, sick electors, and overseas electors before the Electoral Registration Officer or Assistant Electoral Registration Officer to submit required documents.
