V. Anbu Kumar, Chief Electoral Officer for Karnataka, addressing a press conference regarding the Karnataka SIR (Special Intensive Revision) updates, in Bengaluru on Wednesday.
\| Photo Credit: K. MURALI KUMAR

More than 18 lakh voters in Karnataka are likely to receive notices after the publication of the draft electoral roll on August 17 as part of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, according to data released by the Election Commission.

Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer V. Anbu Kumar said that, as of 6 p.m. on July 22, 18,09,738 voters whose details were not available in the 2002 SIR database had submitted enumeration forms. The figure accounts for 3.26% of the State’s electorate.

Inclusion in draft rolls

Under the SIR process, electors whose records are unavailable in the 2002 electoral roll or whose names cannot be traced in the database are required to submit enumeration forms. Their names would be included in the draft electoral roll, following which Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) would issue notices seeking supporting documents. Eligible voters would be included in the final electoral roll after verification.

The number of such cases could increase further as the distribution and submission of enumeration forms would continue until August 8. Apart from voters whose details are unavailable in the 2002 SIR database, notices may also be issued in cases involving other “logical discrepancies” identified during the revision process. The total number of voters who would receive notices and the reasons for issuing them would become clear only after the draft electoral roll is published on August 17, said Mr. Kumar.

Highest in Bengaluru Urban

The district-wise data show that Bengaluru accounts for nearly two-thirds of all voters whose details are unavailable in the 2002 SIR database.

The highest number was recorded in Bengaluru Urban, where 4,74,767 voters (11.81%) fall under the category. This was followed by the North City Corporation with 3,21,662 voters (13.79%), Central City Corporation with 2,13,732 (11.31%), and South City Corporation with 1,98,288 (9.25%). Together, these four jurisdictions account for more than 12 lakh voters, or nearly 67% of the State-wide total.

Mysuru follows Bengaluru

Outside Bengaluru, Mysuru reported the highest number of such voters at 94,929 (3.39%), followed by Belagavi (43,733), Ballari (33,386), Kalaburagi (31,279), Tumakuru (25,528) and Dakshina Kannada (25,253).

In terms of proportion, Kodagu recorded the highest share among non-Bengaluru districts, with 3.40% of its electorate lacking 2002 SIR records, followed closely by Mysuru (3.39%) and Ballari (2.72%). At the other end, Haveri (0.61%), Bagalkote (0.63%), Koppal (0.64%), and Dharwad (0.69%) reported the lowest proportions.

Mr. Kumar said all voters whose records are unavailable in the 2002 SIR database would be required to furnish the prescribed documents after receiving notices. Only after scrutiny of these documents by the EROs would their names be considered for inclusion in the final electoral roll.

Published - July 22, 2026 09:10 pm IST