Bengaluru, October 2, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Friday welcomed the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) directive to conduct a special drive to identify and enrol eligible voters left out of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, describing the move as a “victory” for voters across the country.
The ECI has directed election authorities in states and Union Territories where the SIR has been completed to undertake a special drive for eligible voters who were left out, including first-time voters. It has also asked officials to facilitate enrolment through the regular electoral roll updation process.
Speaking to reporters near Vidhana Soudha, Shivakumar said the directive followed a Congress-led protest outside the Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer’s office on Thursday.
“We welcome the order issued by the Election Commission. This is not just a victory for the Congress and the government. It is a victory for Karnataka and the voters of the entire country, and a victory against attempts to deprive eligible voters of their rights,” he said.
Shivakumar said the ECI had also taken note of complaints regarding bulk applications seeking deletion of names from electoral rolls and had directed election authorities to examine them.
He said officials had been instructed to organise special camps for first-time voters and ensure that Booth Level Officers (BLOs), Chief Electoral Officers and District Election Officers followed the prescribed procedures for Forms 6 and 7.
The Chief Minister added that booth-level camps should be held to assist people in vulnerable circumstances, including those living in night shelters, labourers, homeless persons and other disadvantaged groups. The ECI has separately announced special enrolment measures for eligible voters left out during the SIR, as well as young and first-time electors.
Shivakumar alleged that BJP representatives had submitted applications seeking the deletion of votes belonging to weaker sections of society, including Dalits and minorities.
“It is shameful. Their intention is to create a divide among communities, castes and religions. Their objective is to get Dalit and minority votes deleted,” he alleged.
Reacting to the BJP’s protest over the issue, Shivakumar said BJP leaders had acknowledged submitting around 25,000 applications. He accused them of admitting to what he termed a “criminal conspiracy” and demanded appropriate action against those found responsible.
He added that any complaint against him should also be investigated if evidence of wrongdoing was available.
Shivakumar said the BJP should have focused on winning public confidence rather than attempting to influence electoral rolls.
“BJP leaders could have won the hearts of the people and faced elections. Instead, they have resorted to the criminal act of trying to delete votes,” he said.
The Chief Minister said safeguarding citizens’ voting rights was his responsibility and linked the right to vote with the right to live with dignity.
“Voting rights are linked to the right of people to live with dignity. Therefore, this is not a victory of D.K. Shivakumar; it is a victory of voters across the country,” he said.
Shivakumar also credited Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s campaign against alleged irregularities in electoral rolls for bringing attention to the issue. He said the Congress had been raising concerns from the outset, while citizen groups and activists had travelled across Karnataka, gathered data and submitted reports on alleged discrepancies. He added that he had independently examined some of the information.
“It is my duty as Chief Minister to protect the vote of every citizen of Karnataka and safeguard constitutional institutions,” he said.
He urged the media to give wider coverage to the issue and called for a national-level discussion on protecting voters’ rights.
The ECI’s directive comes amid a controversy over bulk Form-7 applications in Karnataka. On Thursday, following Shivakumar’s protest, Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer V. Anbukumar directed election officials to initiate action against applicants found to have knowingly provided false information, subject to the prescribed inquiry process.
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