Full Breakdown
Karnataka SIR Process Faces Allegations of Targeted Voter Deletions
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Bulk Form-7 Applications Seek Deletion of Predominantly Muslim Voters
In the weeks leading up to the September 23 deadline, more than 4,000 Form-7 applications were filed across Karnataka Assembly constituencies seeking the removal of voters’ names. Booth Level Officers (BLOs) in Belagavi North reported that two men claiming to be from the Belagavi City Corporation arrived with stacks of pre-printed forms, pressured officers to sign, and later invoked the name of Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) Udayakumar Basavantappa Talawar, who confirmed his name had been misused.
Background & Context
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a statewide exercise to clean Karnataka’s electoral rolls ahead of elections. The draft roll released after enumeration showed a reduction from 5,52,49,719 voters in 2025 to 4,44,53,380 – a drop of roughly 19.5 %. The process categorises voters as “Shifted,” “Absent,” “Dead,” “Duplicate” or “Other.”
Official Statements & Responses
Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said every genuine voter’s right must be protected and asked the Chief Electoral Officer to provide a constituency-wise list of Form-7 objections, including bulk filings lacking mandatory particulars. He also called for FIRs against individuals involved in alleged manipulation.
ERO Udayakumar Basavantappa Talawar told reporters his name had been falsely used to order BLOs to sign the pre-printed forms.
The Chief Electoral Officer declined specific comment but indicated that bulk Form-7 filings without valid grounds could attract penal action.
Criticism & Opposition
The Anti-SIR Alliance and the Citizens’ Vote Protection Committee flagged the scale of deletions, especially among nomadic, tribal, Dalit, Muslim and women voters, and called for an independent assessment. Retired Supreme Court judge Gopal Gowda questioned the legal basis of the SIR.
Actor-activist Prakash Raj demanded that the Election Commission scrap the SIR, warning that the collection of phone numbers could enable future manipulation of voter details.
On-the-Ground Reports
BLOs at six polling stations in Belagavi North recounted that the men delivering the forms repeatedly urged immediate signing. When officers refused, the men allegedly placed a phone call to someone posing as the ERO. Some officers eventually signed under pressure; others could not reach supervisors or Assistant Electoral Registration Officers.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Form-7 counts: The Chief Electoral Officer’s draft roll lists 67,307 applications, while another data set records 61,130 processed applications – a discrepancy of about 6,000.
- Bengaluru roll reduction: Civil-society audit reports a 48.48 lakh draft figure, whereas official SIR data cite 46.88 lakh in the ASDDO categories.
- Sample coverage: The civil-society survey examined 100 booths out of more than 50,000, limiting its ability to represent statewide trends.
What’s Next
The final electoral rolls are scheduled for publication on October 27; applications filed after the claims and objections period will be considered only after that date. Chief Minister Shivakumar has asked that FIRs be lodged against anyone found to have engaged in criminal activity related to the SIR, with copies to be sent to the Chief Secretary. The Election Commission’s new directive for BLO-led door-to-door verification is expected to be rolled out in the coming weeks.