Archive · 30 Aug 2026
Karnataka CM seeks more time to protect genuine voters
Karnataka is checking its list of people who can vote.
Many voters have been put into a group needing extra checking.
The chief minister says some of these people may be genuine voters.
They may have been away, moved homes, or missed an official visit.
He wants the Election Commission to give them more time to prove they should stay on the list.
He also wants more officials to help with the checks.
Meetings in city wards and villages could help people understand the process.
His goal is to prevent eligible voters from being removed just because they lacked enough time or information.
D.K. Shivakumar urged the Election Commission of India to extend the claims and objections period for Karnataka’s Special Intensive Revision.
Nearly 1.08 crore of the state’s 5.54 crore electors were placed in the Absent, Shifted, Dead, Duplicate and Others category.
About 43.8 lakh electors are expected to receive verification notices over logical discrepancies or missing links to the 2002 electoral roll.
Shivakumar warned that around 1.5 crore voters could be at risk of deletion unless they submit claims for continuation or fresh inclusion.
He requested three to four weeks for verification, more election officers, and Ward Committee and Gram Sabha meetings to support voters.
- Who
- Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar urged the Election Commission of India to act.
- What
- He requested more time and administrative support during the Special Intensive Revision of Karnataka’s electoral rolls.
- When
- Shivakumar’s letter was dated August 25, following publication of the draft electoral roll on August 24.
- Where
- Karnataka, including Bengaluru and its urban wards and rural areas.
- Why
- He is concerned that genuine voters could be excluded because of categorisation, missed visits, mobility, or insufficient time to respond.
- State electors
- Karnataka has 5.54 crore electors.
- ASDDO electors
- Nearly 1.08 crore electors were placed under the Absent, Shifted, Dead, Duplicate and Others category.
- Bengaluru ASDDO electors
- 46.88 lakh Bengaluru electors were placed under the ASDDO category.
- Expected notices
- Around 43.8 lakh electors are expected to receive verification notices.
- Requested response time
- Shivakumar suggested three to four weeks for voters to respond.
- Requested claim process
- He asked that genuine voters, including those in the ASDDO category, be allowed to file claims through Form 6.
- Proposed local support
- He requested Ward Committee meetings in urban areas and Gram Sabhas in rural areas.