Booker Prize-winning Kannada author Banu Mushtaq on Tuesday, 30 June described the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Karnataka's electoral rolls as a smooth and hassle-free process, saying her firsthand experience had put to rest fears that the exercise was designed to harass ordinary citizens. Speaking to reporters in Hassan, she also called on district officials to extend patient, courteous guidance to every voter during the month-long enumeration drive.

How the Launch Unfolded

Mushtaq launched the SIR exercise in Hassan district from her own residence in Hassan city, in the presence of the Deputy Commissioner and other district officials. She filled out the Enumeration Form herself, requiring only two documents — her Aadhaar card and her existing Voter Identity Card.

'I produced my Aadhaar card, which almost everyone has, and my old Voter Identity Card. That was all that was required,' she said. One copy of the completed form, she noted, would be retained by the district administration while the applicant keeps the other.

From Apprehension to Reassurance

Mushtaq acknowledged she had initially been apprehensive after hearing criticism from political leaders and activists. 'From what political leaders and activists were saying, I had the impression that the SIR exercise had been designed to harass citizens and make them suffer. Even yesterday, when the Deputy Commissioner informed me that the SIR exercise would be inaugurated from my residence, I was surprised,' she said.

She added that concerns about documentation requirements had quickly dissolved once the process began. 'I was worried about what documents I would have to produce, what I needed to collect and whether the process would be tedious. But today, the Deputy Commissioner, district administration officials and journalists came to my residence. I filled out the Enumeration Form myself,' she said.

Her Appeal to Officials

The author urged the district administration to build wider public awareness and ensure that every citizen receives the same calm, step-by-step assistance she experienced. 'I requested the Deputy Commissioner to create greater public awareness about the enumeration process. Since there is considerable discussion surrounding the participation of citizens in this exercise, I hope officials extend the same patience and calm guidance to every member of the public as they extended to me while helping me complete the form,' she said.

She further appealed to authorities to instruct field officials to assist all citizens with equal courtesy so that the Special Intensive Revision proceeds smoothly across the state.

Scale of the SIR Drive Across Karnataka

The SIR commenced statewide on Tuesday, with more than 59,000 Booth Level Officers (BLOs) fanning out across Karnataka for a month-long door-to-door verification exercise. The objective is to ensure the state's electoral rolls remain accurate, complete, and up to date ahead of future elections.

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar formally launched the drive by filling out his own Enumeration Form at his Sadashivanagar residence, urging all eligible voters to participate and safeguard their voting rights. He emphasised that voter registration is also a gateway to accessing government welfare benefits.

With a prominent public figure lending credibility to the process and over 59,000 ground-level officers deployed, the administration is now counting on community trust to sustain participation through the month-long exercise.