BJP, JD(S) allege large-scale irregularities in Karnataka SIR, seek EC probe

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ally, the Janata Dal (Secular), on Monday accused election officials in Karnataka of committing ‘large-scale irregularities’ during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections.

In a letter addressed to the Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer, senior BJP and JD(S) leaders alleged that Booth Level Officers (BLOs) were not conducting the mandatory door-to-door verification of voters as required under the Election Commission's guidelines.

The letter, signed by Union ministers HD Kumaraswamy, Pralhad Joshi and Shobha Karandlaje, claimed that enumeration forms were instead being filled at community halls, mosques and even at the residences of BLOs.

Leader of the Opposition R Ashok, former deputy chief minister R Ashwath Narayan and former chief minister DV Sadananda Gowda also signed the complaint.

Speaking to reporters, Joshi alleged that the voter verification exercise was being carried out at locations such as mosques instead of individual households, calling it a violation of Election Commission norms.

The opposition also claimed WhatsApp groups had been created to direct voters to these locations, raising concerns over the transparency and neutrality of the revision process.

The BJP and JD(S) urged the Election Commission to immediately investigate the alleged violations, saying evidence had surfaced on social media and in media reports.

Responding to the allegations, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar denied any role of the state government in the revision exercise, asserting that the process was being carried out solely under the Election Commission's supervision.

Shivakumar also accused the BJP of making baseless allegations out of political anxiety, claiming the opposition was rattled by the Congress' campaign to educate people about the voter roll revision exercise.

The SIR exercise has remained a flashpoint between the BJP and opposition parties.

Several INDIA bloc parties have alleged that the revision process could lead to the exclusion of genuine voters, while the Election Commission and the BJP have rejected the charge, maintaining that the exercise is being conducted in accordance with legal provisions and Supreme Court observations.