SIR electoral roll process causing daily confusion, says Karnataka Deputy CM Parameshwara
Synopsis
Karnataka's Deputy CM G. Parameshwara has gone on the offensive against the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision process, citing living voters listed as deceased, flawed notices, and a Form 7 framework he says is open to mass deletion abuse. With the Congress Working Committee already meeting on the issue and a formal national complaint filed, the SIR process is fast becoming a major electoral integrity flashpoint.
Key Takeaways
Karnataka Deputy CM G.
Parameshwara on 1 October 2026 said the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls was creating fresh confusion every day.
Discrepancies cited include living persons listed as deceased in the ASDDO list and problems with issuing notices to voters.
Form 7 applications allowing third parties to seek deletion of voter names were flagged as a serious concern open to misuse.
The Congress Working Committee has held a meeting in Delhi and filed a formal national complaint opposing the SIR process.
On the drought front, an all-party delegation to meet PM Narendra Modi is pending finalisation; the central assessment team will be briefed on rainfall deficit and crop losses since June .
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara on Thursday, 1 October 2026, said the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls was generating fresh confusion each day, and that the Indian National Congress (Congress) had already formally registered its objections over multiple issues with the voter list process. Parameshwara made the remarks while speaking to reporters near his residence in Bengaluru.
Key Concerns Over the SIR Process
The Deputy Chief Minister cited several discrepancies that had emerged during the SIR exercise, including irregularities in the list of electors and problems with the issuance of notices to voters. He also pointed to errors in what he referred to as the ASDDO list, noting that even living persons had reportedly been included in the list of deceased voters.
'For several days now, there has been one confusion after another regarding the SIR process. There was confusion over the ASDDO list as well, with even living persons being included in the list of deceased voters. There have also been problems in issuing notices to voters,' Parameshwara said.
Concerns Over Form 7 and Voter Deletion
Parameshwara raised specific concerns about the submission of Form 7 applications, stating that the current framework appeared to allow anyone to approach the Election Commission of India (ECI) seeking the deletion of another person's name from the electoral roll — a provision he described as problematic and open to misuse.
'Therefore, our party has already submitted a complaint opposing this process being conducted across the country. We will decide our next course of action based on how the developments unfold in the coming days,' he said.
Congress Working Committee's Position
Parameshwara said the Congress Working Committee had already convened a meeting in Delhi to deliberate on the SIR-related issues, and the party had taken a collective decision regarding the removal of election commissioners. He added that the party's next steps would be guided by directions from its leadership.
This comes amid a broader national debate over the SIR process, with Opposition parties in multiple states reportedly voicing similar concerns about the integrity and fairness of the ongoing electoral roll revision exercise.
Karnataka Drought: All-Party Meet With PM Awaited
On the drought crisis gripping Karnataka, Parameshwara said the date for an all-party delegation from the state to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi had not yet been finalised. He noted that Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar was awaiting a response from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).
'Once the date is finalised, we will take an all-party delegation to meet the Prime Minister and explain the situation prevailing in the state,' he said. The central drought assessment team visiting Karnataka, he added, would be provided with comprehensive information on the rainfall deficit and crop losses recorded in the state since June. Although some parts of the state had received rainfall in the preceding one or two days, Parameshwara said it would not provide meaningful relief to farmers.
Railway Works in Tumakuru Discussed
Separately, Parameshwara said he had recently met Union Minister and Tumakuru MP V. Somanna during a visit to Delhi and held discussions on ongoing railway works connecting Tumakuru with Rayadurga and Davanagere. 'We discussed the ongoing railway work and the difficulties and obstacles that have arisen at certain places,' he said.
With the Congress signalling an escalation of its protests against the SIR process at the national level, how the ECI responds to the party's formal complaint is expected to shape the next phase of this standoff.
Point of View
If substantiated, would represent a systemic failure in the ECI's data verification chain. The Form 7 concern is equally serious: an unchecked deletion mechanism in a politically competitive state like Karnataka could be weaponised. The Congress has framed this as a national issue, which raises the political stakes considerably. What is missing from the current discourse is an independent audit of how widespread these errors actually are — without that data, both the government's defence and the Opposition's alarm remain unverifiable claims.
NationPress
1 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls?
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is an exercise conducted by the Election Commission of India to update and correct electoral rolls across the country, including adding new voters and removing ineligible entries. Karnataka Deputy CM G. Parameshwara has alleged that the current SIR process has produced multiple errors, including listing living persons as deceased.
What specific problems has Karnataka's Deputy CM flagged in the SIR process?
Parameshwara cited three main issues: errors in the ASDDO list where living voters were classified as deceased, problems with the issuance of notices to voters, and a Form 7 framework that he says allows any individual to seek deletion of another person's name from the electoral roll without adequate checks.
What action has the Congress taken against the SIR process?
The Congress Working Committee held a dedicated meeting in Delhi on the issue and filed a formal complaint with the Election Commission opposing the SIR process as it is being conducted nationally. The party has also taken a position on the removal of election commissioners and is awaiting leadership directions for its next steps.
What is the status of Karnataka's drought relief request to the Centre?
As of 1 October 2026, the date for an all-party delegation from Karnataka to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not been finalised. Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar is awaiting a response from the Prime Minister's Office before the delegation can proceed.
Why does the Form 7 concern matter for electoral integrity?
Form 7 is the mechanism through which a voter's name can be deleted from the electoral roll. Parameshwara's concern is that the current SIR framework appears to allow any third party — not just the voter themselves — to file for deletion, creating a potential avenue for targeted removal of legitimate voters, particularly in politically sensitive constituencies.
