The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls will help eliminate multiple voter ID cards in Karnataka, according to the state's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO). For the first time, the Election Commission will digitize enumeration forms and use advanced software to detect duplicates based on demographic data or photo similarity.
Digitization of Enumeration Forms
The CEO emphasized that the draft rolls prepared during the SIR will be fully digitized. This marks a significant shift from traditional paper-based processes, enabling more efficient data management and cross-referencing. The digital format will allow election officials to quickly identify and remove duplicate entries.
Detection of Duplicate Voter IDs
Two key methods will be employed to weed out multiple voter ID cards. First, demography-based detection will compare personal details such as name, age, address, and family members to flag potential duplicates. Second, photo similarity software will analyze facial features in submitted photographs to identify identical images used across different registrations.
This initiative aims to enhance the accuracy and integrity of the electoral roll in Karnataka. By removing duplicate entries, the Election Commission hopes to prevent electoral fraud and ensure that each citizen has only one vote. The SIR process is expected to conclude with a cleaner voter list ahead of upcoming elections.
Stakeholders, including political parties and civil society, have been urged to cooperate and provide feedback during the revision period. The CEO assured that all measures comply with legal standards and protect voter privacy.
