Karnataka Voter List Revision Sees Low Re Inclusion Applications

The ongoing Special Intensive Revision of Karnataka voter lists has entered a key phase, with authorities making a final push to ensure eligible citizens who are missing from the draft roll get an opportunity to seek inclusion.

Recent figures show that around 84 lakh electors placed in the absent, shifted or refused to sign categories are eligible to seek re inclusion. According to the latest reported figures, only about 1.69 lakh applications through Forms 6 and 6A had been filed by September 18 specifically among this group, representing roughly 2 percent.

The numbers have attracted attention as the deadline for claims and objections approaches. The statewide SIR exercise has resulted in a major change in the size of the draft electoral roll. Karnataka had more than 5.54 crore electors when the rolls were frozen on June 16, while the draft roll published in August contained about 4.46 crore electors.

The difference does not mean that all the excluded names have been permanently deleted. More than 1.07 crore electors were placed under the ASDDO category, covering people classified as absent, permanently shifted, dead, duplicate or falling under other specified categories. The election authorities have provided a process for affected eligible voters to seek inclusion or correction.

The latest reported figures also show that applications have continued to arrive during the claims period. From June 16 to September 18, more than 6.4 lakh people had submitted Form 6 applications, while 4,302 overseas voters had used Form 6A. However, only a smaller portion of these applications came after the ASDDO list was made public on August 23.

Chief Electoral Officer V Anbukkumar has said there is no fixed deadline for Form 6 submissions in the broader sense. However, applications submitted by September 23 will be considered for inclusion in the final SIR electoral roll scheduled to be published on October 27, subject to verification. Applications submitted after that date can be considered through supplementary rolls.

The process is particularly important for citizens who find that their names are missing from the draft electoral roll despite being eligible voters. Authorities have advised people to check the official draft roll and approach the appropriate election officials if their names or details require attention.

The SIR process has already involved extensive verification across Karnataka. Booth Level Officers conducted house to house enumeration before the draft roll was published on August 24. The exercise was aimed at identifying changes in voter records and updating the electoral database.

Authorities have also clarified that a name appearing in the ASDDO category should not automatically be understood as a final deletion. The election process includes notices, verification and an opportunity for eligible electors to present the required documents. A name cannot simply be removed from the draft roll without the prescribed procedure being followed.

Bengaluru has emerged as one of the areas receiving considerable attention during the revision. Data released after publication of the draft roll showed that about 46.88 lakh electors across the Greater Bengaluru area were placed under ASDDO categories for verification. The figure represented a substantial share of the electorate recorded before the revision exercise.

There have also been differences in notice delivery across districts and Bengaluru areas. Recent reporting showed comparatively lower delivery levels in BBMP South, Bengaluru Urban and BBMP Central, while other districts recorded higher delivery rates. These figures are part of the ongoing notice and hearing process rather than final determinations about individual voter eligibility.

To increase awareness before the claims window closes, the Chief Electoral Officer’s office has organised special enrolment drives. Another round of camps is being conducted as officials attempt to reach eligible citizens who may not yet have checked their status or submitted the necessary application.

The final electoral roll is currently scheduled for October 27, following the completion of claims, objections, notices and verification. The qualifying date for the final roll is October 1, according to the reported election schedule.

For eligible citizens, the immediate step is to verify whether their name appears in the draft electoral roll. Those whose names are missing or whose details require correction should follow the procedure prescribed by election officials and submit the appropriate form and supporting documents within the relevant period.

The Karnataka voter list revision is therefore moving into a decisive stage. While the relatively low proportion of applications from the 84 lakh affected categories has drawn attention, the process remains open for eligible voters to seek inclusion. The final position will become clearer after verification is completed and the revised electoral roll is published in October.