Full Breakdown
Karnataka’s Special Intensive Revision: Over 1 Crore Voters Deleted and 61,000 Unexplained Deletion Applications
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event – Mass Deletions and Unjustified Form 7 Filings
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Karnataka’s electoral rolls, which began on June 30, removed more than 1 crore names from the draft list published on August 24 2026. The draft roll listed 4,46,80,151 electors, down from 5,54,32,314 before the exercise. Between September 24 and October 22, officials filed 61,059 Form 7 applications seeking further deletions, none citing a reason as required by the Registration of Electors Rules 1960. The final roll is scheduled for release on October 27 2026.
Background & Context
In May, the Supreme Court upheld the legality of SIR but cautioned that the Election Commission cannot decide citizenship status.
Official Statements & Responses
Chief Electoral Officer V Anbukkumar said the final roll will be shared with all parties on October 27 and posted on the CEO’s website. Election officials explained that the 61,059 Form 7 filings were “auto-generated” by the system when voters could not be reached during hearings; digital signatures of Electoral Registration Officers were attached, but the mandatory reason field remained blank. The Election Commission reiterated that deletions must follow prescribed procedures and that the exercise aims to improve roll accuracy.
Criticism & Opposition
The ruling Indian National Congress accused BJP workers of filing bulk Form 7 applications to remove eligible voters, especially in constituencies with large Muslim populations. The BJP rejected the allegation, saying its workers were merely identifying entries they believed ineligible. Since October 2, protests have been held nationwide against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the SIR process. Civil-society groups warn that large-scale exclusions could disenfranchise voters who were temporarily absent or whose addresses could not be verified.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Form 7 totals: The CEO’s office reported 58,475 Form 7 applications by September 23, yet the consolidated Form-10 records show about 13,800 fewer applications for the same period.
- Post-deadline filings: The Hindu cites 2.28 lakh total Form 7 filings by October 22, while the CEO’s statement mentions 1,70,442 applications in the same window.
- Final electorate size: The Hindu gives a final figure of 4,55,00,011 electors, whereas New Indian Express notes the number will change again after inclusions and deletions, without providing a precise count.
What’s Next
The finalized electoral roll will be published on October 27 2026 and shared with all political parties. Applications filed after the September 23 deadline will be considered only for supplementary rolls, which the CEO’s office plans to release quarterly. The office also announced an enrolment drive to add genuine voters whose names were deleted during SIR.