Karnataka BJP alleges Congress misusing SIR electoral roll process, seeks EC action
Synopsis
Karnataka BJP chief B.Y. Vijayendra has taken a formal complaint to the Election Commission alleging that the Congress state government is weaponising the SIR electoral roll revision — pressuring BLOs, distributing Congress-branded forms in Jayanagar, and running a parallel SIR process through the State Election Commission. The ECI has reportedly already held a video conference on the matter, but the BJP says violations continue.
Key Takeaways
BJP Karnataka President B.Y.
Vijayendra submitted a memorandum to the Election Commission of India on 4 July alleging misuse of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.
BLOs were allegedly directed to distribute Enumeration Forms from Kalyana Mantapas, choultries, and mosques instead of conducting house-to-house visits.
In Jayanagar Assembly constituency , SIR forms allegedly carried photographs of Congress leaders .
Congress workers allegedly forcibly took SIR forms from officials and distributed them independently.
A parallel SIR process by the State Election Commission within the Greater Bengaluru Authority is reportedly creating voter confusion.
The ECI reportedly held a video conference directing officials to follow prescribed procedures, but the BJP says violations persist.
Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President B.Y. Vijayendra on Saturday, 4 July alleged that the state's Congress government was systematically misusing the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls — pressuring Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and flouting Election Commission of India (ECI) guidelines. Vijayendra made the allegations after submitting a formal memorandum to the ECI in Bengaluru, demanding corrective action and a fresh SIR exercise wherever irregularities have occurred.
Key Allegations Against the State Government
Vijayendra alleged that BLOs — who are required under ECI guidelines to conduct house-to-house visits and distribute Enumeration Forms — were instead being directed to operate from Kalyana Mantapas, choultries, and mosques, bypassing the prescribed field-verification process. He further alleged that sitting MLAs were compelling BLOs to work out of their constituency offices and exert pressure on election officials.
In what the BJP described as a particularly brazen violation, Vijayendra alleged that Congress workers had forcibly taken SIR forms from officials and distributed them independently. 'Congress workers are pressuring officials and misusing the administrative machinery,' he said.
Jayanagar Constituency: Forms Carrying Congress Leaders' Photos
A specific allegation was levelled against the Jayanagar Assembly constituency, where Vijayendra claimed that SIR Enumeration Forms being distributed carried photographs of Congress leaders — a direct violation of electoral neutrality norms. Bengaluru South District BJP President and MLA C.K. Ramamurthy separately confirmed that complaints regarding Jayanagar had been submitted to both the ECI and the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA).
'BLOs are distributing application forms at locations of their choice. Officials found guilty of dereliction of duty should be suspended, and the SIR process should be repeated wherever such irregularities have occurred,' Ramamurthy demanded.
Parallel SIR Process Adding to Voter Confusion
The BJP also flagged a structural anomaly: alongside the ECI's statewide SIR exercise, the State Election Commission was allegedly running a parallel SIR process within the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) jurisdiction, reportedly creating confusion among voters about which process to engage with and which forms to submit.
Election Commission's Response
According to Vijayendra, the ECI had already taken note of the reported irregularities and convened a video conference directing officials to strictly adhere to prescribed procedures. However, he alleged the directions were not being followed on the ground. 'The Commission has responded to our complaint and has assured us that corrective measures will be taken,' he said.
The BJP has demanded that the ECI issue a formal warning to the state government and order a fresh SIR exercise in all constituencies where violations have been confirmed. The Congress government in Karnataka is yet to respond formally to the allegations.
Point of View
If substantiated, point to a troubling pattern of state machinery being co-opted during a process specifically designed to ensure electoral integrity. The claim that SIR forms in Jayanagar carried Congress leaders' photographs — if verified — would be a clear violation of model conduct norms, not a procedural grey area. What is notable is that the ECI has already intervened via a video conference, suggesting the complaints carry enough weight to warrant a response; yet the BJP says field-level violations continue. The deeper structural problem is the parallel SIR exercise by the State Election Commission within the GBA — a jurisdictional overlap that no political party created, but one the ruling government is best positioned to resolve. The Congress has not yet offered a counter-narrative, and its silence will be read as telling.
NationPress
4 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Karnataka?
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is an Election Commission of India exercise to update and correct electoral rolls by having Booth Level Officers conduct house-to-house visits and distribute Enumeration Forms to eligible voters. It is a periodic process aimed at ensuring the accuracy of voter lists ahead of elections.
What specific irregularities has the BJP alleged in Karnataka's SIR process?
The BJP has alleged that BLOs are being made to distribute forms from Kalyana Mantapas, choultries, and mosques instead of conducting house visits; that MLAs are running BLOs from their constituency offices; that Congress workers forcibly took SIR forms from officials; and that forms in Jayanagar constituency carried photographs of Congress leaders.
How has the Election Commission of India responded to the complaints?
According to BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra, the ECI took note of the reported irregularities and held a video conference directing officials to strictly follow prescribed procedures. Vijayendra said the Commission assured corrective measures would be taken, though he alleged violations were continuing on the ground.
What is the parallel SIR process the BJP flagged?
The BJP alleged that alongside the ECI's statewide SIR exercise, the State Election Commission was running a separate SIR process within the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), reportedly causing confusion among voters about which process and forms apply to them.
What action has the BJP demanded from the Election Commission?
The BJP has demanded that the ECI issue a formal warning to the Karnataka state government, suspend officials found guilty of dereliction of duty, and order the SIR process to be conducted afresh in all constituencies where irregularities have been confirmed.
