Archive · 10 Sep 2026
Extra 'F' in CNR Rao's Name Triggers Karnataka SIR Notice
Election officials are checking voter names in Karnataka.
CNR Rao received a notice because his name was written slightly differently in two voter lists.
One list said "Prof.
CNR Rao," while another said "Proff.
C.N.R. Rao."
The officials will visit his home instead of making him go to a hearing centre.
Another award winner, Harekala Hajabba, had a similar problem with his name.
His notice was withdrawn after officials visited him.
The review is called a Special Intensive Revision, or SIR.
Millions of voters may receive notices about names that do not match or cannot be linked to earlier records.
Karnataka plans to publish the final voter list on October 27.
Election officials will visit 92-year-old scientist CNR Rao's Bengaluru home to verify a voter-record discrepancy.
The notice cited a "self-name mismatch" after his title appeared as "Proff. C.N.R. Rao" instead of "Prof. CNR Rao."
The Election Commission said Rao does not need to appear at the designated hearing centre.
A separate notice to Padma Shri awardee Harekala Hajabba was withdrawn after officials visited his home over differences in his recorded name.
More than 4.381 million notices are expected during Karnataka's SIR, with the final electoral roll scheduled for October 27.
- Who
- CNR Rao, Election Commission officials, and separately Padma Shri awardee Harekala Hajabba.
- What
- Name discrepancies in Karnataka's electoral-roll revision triggered notices and verification procedures.
- When
- The SIR began on June 30; claims and objections continue until October 22, with the final roll due October 27.
- Where
- Bengaluru for Rao's verification; Hajabba is from Newpadapu in Mangaluru.
- Why
- The notices were issued because names in current or previous electoral records differed or could not be matched.
- SIR start date
- June 30 in Karnataka
- Rao's discrepancy
- "Prof. CNR Rao" versus "Proff. C.N.R. Rao"
- Rao's verification
- Election officials will visit his Bengaluru residence
- Expected notices
- More than 4.381 million
- Claims and objections deadline
- October 22
- Final electoral roll
- Scheduled for publication on October 27
- Hajabba notice
- Withdrawn after officials visited his residence