Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Thursday, 24 September 2026, demanded that the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls be scrapped in the state, warning that the exercise risks disenfranchising genuine voters — particularly from poor and disadvantaged communities. He also called for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar on moral grounds, escalating the opposition's confrontation with the Election Commission of India (ECI).

What Shivakumar Said

Speaking to the media in Bengaluru, Shivakumar issued a pointed statement against the SIR process, alleging it raised 'serious concerns' about how electoral rolls were being revised across states. 'Karnataka must not be subjected to an exercise that can leave genuine voters out of the electoral process, especially the poor and disadvantaged,' he said, adding that protecting every citizen's right to vote was 'essential to safeguarding democracy.'

He invoked a sharp formulation to drive the point home: 'The right to vote is the right to live,' the Chief Minister declared, urging the Election Commission to uphold this fundamental right.

Demand for CEC's Resignation

Shivakumar went further, directly calling on CEC Gyanesh Kumar to step down. Citing reported differences among Election Commission members, he alleged that autonomy given to the poll panel was being misused. 'When a majority of the members do not agree with an opinion, a decision cannot be imposed unilaterally. It would be better if the Chief Election Commissioner voluntarily resigns on moral grounds,' he said.

He also noted that Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi had raised similar concerns in defence of voting rights, signalling a coordinated party-wide push on the issue.

Broader Pattern Alleged

Shivakumar alleged that the SIR exercise was not an isolated development. 'Similar attempts have been made in West Bengal, Bihar and several other states. Now they are trying to do the same everywhere, including Karnataka,' he said. He claimed to have separately requested the Election Commission to allow more time for the process.

The Chief Minister also raised procedural concerns around Forms 6, 7 and 8 used in the electoral roll revision process, alleging the current exercise could disproportionately affect illiterate and disadvantaged sections of society. 'This is not merely a matter of opinion. It is a fundamental right. This is the voice of the commoner,' he said.

What Shivakumar Is Demanding

Shivakumar stopped short of asking for a halt alone — he called for a fresh, comprehensive revision of electoral data undertaken from scratch. 'We want a fresh SIR to be conducted. Everyone should be given their rights. The situation must be reviewed comprehensively to ensure the right to every vote, and the electoral data must be re-examined,' he said.

He emphasised that the issue transcended party lines. 'This is not about Congress or Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) votes — it is about every citizen's right to vote. Nobody can suppress that right,' he said, adding that the matter deserved debate in Parliament.

What Comes Next

The demands put pressure on the Election Commission to clarify the SIR's scope and methodology ahead of elections in several states. With senior opposition figures including Kharge and Gandhi now aligned on the issue, the political temperature around electoral roll revisions is likely to rise further in the coming weeks.