Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge on Monday, 29 June demanded that the Election Commission of India (ECI) address the concerns raised by the Indian National Congress (Congress) before proceeding with the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state. The revision exercise was set to begin on Tuesday, 29 June, with a door-to-door verification drive scheduled from 29 June to 29 July.

What Kharge Said

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Kharge said the state government would consult Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and determine the next course of action after reviewing the ECI's response to the party's written objections.

'The Election Commission should first answer the questions raised by Congress regarding the SIR exercise. Only after addressing those concerns should it proceed with the revision of the electoral rolls in Karnataka,' he said.

Kharge confirmed that Congress had already submitted its objections in writing to the Chief Election Commissioner, flagging eight to ten issues related to the exercise. He said no response had been received from either the Election Commission of India or the State Election Commission.

Key Concerns Raised by Congress

Among the issues flagged, Kharge questioned what the ECI means by the term 'logical discrepancy' and on what basis a voter can be removed from the electoral roll. He insisted that any deletion must be preceded by a legal notice, a speaking order, and an opportunity for the voter to present their case before an appropriate tribunal.

'Voters should not lose their franchise merely because of spelling mistakes or minor discrepancies in their names,' he said.

Kharge also raised concerns over the reported use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the revision process, questioning who had audited the software and how it functions. He cited reports that around 8.9 million voters were reportedly removed from electoral rolls elsewhere without adequate opportunity to challenge the decision before a tribunal. He also noted that a retired tribunal judge had reportedly resigned, stating it would take four years to dispose of such cases.

Congress Not Against Revision, But Questions the Method

Kharge was careful to clarify that the Congress was not opposed to the revision of electoral rolls as a constitutional exercise. 'Revising the electoral rolls is the constitutional responsibility of the Election Commission, and preparing a clean and accurate voter list is its duty,' he said.

However, he pointed to concerns about how SIR exercises were conducted in states such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, where there are allegations that vulnerable sections of society were left out of the rolls.

The party has simultaneously launched an awareness campaign across Karnataka, urging its workers to remain vigilant during the voter list revision process.

ECI Preparations Under Way

Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer V. Anbu Kumar was scheduled to address a press conference in Bengaluru on 29 June regarding the SIR exercise. The ECI had completed preparations to launch the drive, which will include a door-to-door verification process running through 29 July.

With Congress examining the legal aspects of the matter and a consultation with the Chief Minister pending, the political standoff over the SIR exercise in Karnataka is likely to intensify in the days ahead.