Karnataka SIR 2026: 59,050 BLOs to verify 5.55 crore voters by October
Synopsis
Karnataka is set for its most expansive electoral roll revision in recent memory — 59,050 Booth Level Officers fanning out across the state to verify over 5.55 crore voters ahead of an October 2026 qualifying date. With only 25,284 Booth Level Agents appointed so far, the ECI is pressing political parties to close the gap before house-to-house visits begin on 30 June.
Key Takeaways
The ECI has ordered a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Karnataka and 15 other states plus 3 Union Territories .
59,050 Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will verify approximately 5,55,74,064 electors across Karnataka.
House-to-house visits are scheduled from 30 June to 29 July 2026 ; the final electoral roll will be published on 7 October 2026 .
Only 25,284 Booth Level Agents (BLAs) have been appointed by recognised parties so far; the ECI has urged full deployment.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah confirmed the state government will make necessary preparations for the exercise.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Karnataka, set to cover approximately 5,55,74,064 electors as of 12 May 2026. Chief Electoral Officer V. Anbukumar confirmed that 59,050 Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will be deployed across the state for the exercise, which forms part of a nationwide revision spanning 16 states and three Union Territories.
Key Dates and Timeline
The revision will be undertaken with reference to the qualifying date of 1 October 2026, as notified by the ECI on 14 May 2026. Preparatory work — including training and printing — will run from 20 June to 29 June 2026. BLOs will conduct house-to-house visits to distribute and collect enumeration forms between 30 June and 29 July 2026.
The draft electoral roll is scheduled for publication on 5 August 2026, followed by a claims-and-objections window from 5 August to 4 September 2026. Disposal of objections will continue until 3 October 2026, with the final electoral roll published on 7 October 2026. Rationalisation of polling stations is to be completed by 29 July 2026.
How the Revision Works
Under Section 14(b) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, qualifying dates for electoral roll revision are 1 January, 1 April, 1 July, and 1 October of the relevant year. The ECI has described the SIR as a participative and transparent process involving electors, political parties, and election officials.
At present, 25,284 Booth Level Agents (BLAs) have been appointed by recognised political parties. The Commission has urged all recognised parties to appoint BLAs for every polling station to ensure active participation. The Chief Electoral Officer's office has also appealed to voters to cooperate fully during the house-to-house verification exercise.
Government's Stance
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah acknowledged the upcoming exercise, stating that the revision would soon begin in the state. 'We will also make the necessary preparations for the exercise,' he said. His remarks signal that the state government intends to facilitate the process, though the SIR is administered independently by the ECI machinery.
Where to Find More Information
Further details on forms, schedules, and procedures will be available on the official websites of the District Election Officers, the Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka, and the Election Commission of India. This comes amid heightened scrutiny of voter roll accuracy across India, with the ECI conducting simultaneous revisions in multiple states ahead of upcoming electoral cycles.
Point of View
Nearly 60,000 officers — underscores how seriously the ECI is treating voter roll integrity ahead of the next electoral cycle. Yet the gap between polling stations and appointed BLAs (25,284 agents versus tens of thousands of booths) is a structural weakness that could blunt transparency if parties do not act quickly. Karnataka's political parties have weeks, not months, to close that gap before field work begins. The SIR's credibility will ultimately rest not on the ECI's machinery but on whether opposition and ruling parties alike treat BLA appointments as a priority rather than an afterthought.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Karnataka?
The SIR is an ECI-directed exercise to comprehensively update Karnataka's electoral rolls, covering over 5.55 crore registered voters. It involves house-to-house visits by Booth Level Officers and is part of a simultaneous revision across 16 states and 3 Union Territories.
When will BLOs conduct house-to-house visits in Karnataka?
Booth Level Officers will visit homes to distribute and collect enumeration forms between 30 June and 29 July 2026. Preparatory and training activities begin earlier, from 20 June 2026.
When will the final electoral roll be published?
The final electoral roll for Karnataka will be published on 7 October 2026, with reference to the qualifying date of 1 October 2026 as notified by the ECI on 14 May 2026.
Who are Booth Level Agents and why does the ECI want more of them?
Booth Level Agents (BLAs) are representatives appointed by recognised political parties to observe and participate in the revision process at each polling station. As of now, only 25,284 BLAs have been appointed; the ECI has urged all parties to appoint BLAs for every polling station to ensure transparency.
How can Karnataka voters participate in the SIR process?
Voters should cooperate with BLOs during house-to-house visits and respond to enumeration forms. They can also file claims or objections between 5 August and 4 September 2026. Further details are available on the websites of the District Election Officers and the Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka.
