Bengaluru, September 24, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Thursday demanded that the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state be scrapped and a fresh revision of electoral data undertaken, arguing that the exercise could exclude genuine voters, particularly those from poor and disadvantaged sections.
Shivakumar also called for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on moral grounds and questioned the manner in which the Election Commission of India (ECI) was taking decisions. His demands came amid a wider political controversy over the functioning of the poll panel and reported differences among its members.
In a statement, Shivakumar said Karnataka should not be subjected to an exercise that could leave genuine voters out of the electoral process. “The right to vote is the right to live,” he said, stressing that protecting every citizen’s franchise was essential for democracy.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, the Chief Minister said he had already sought more time for the revision exercise. He alleged that attempts were being made in several states, including West Bengal and Bihar, to misuse ordinary citizens’ voting rights for political purposes.
Shivakumar also questioned the use of Forms 6, 7 and 8 in the current revision process, arguing that the procedure could particularly affect illiterate and socio-economically disadvantaged voters. He said the matter should be debated on a wider platform, including Parliament.
Referring to reported differences within the Election Commission, Shivakumar said the poll panel’s autonomy should not be used to impose decisions unilaterally. “When a majority of the members do not agree with an opinion, a decision cannot be imposed unilaterally,” he said, reiterating his call for the CEC to step down.
The Chief Minister maintained that the issue was not about the votes of the Congress or the Bharatiya Janata Party but about protecting every citizen’s right to vote.
“We want a fresh SIR to be conducted. Everyone should be given their rights. The situation must be reviewed comprehensively to ensure the right to every vote, and the electoral data must be re-examined,” he said.
The Election Commission’s published schedule lists Karnataka among the states undergoing SIR, with the final electoral roll scheduled for October 7.
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