CM Shivakumar's Warning on Electoral Roll Revision
Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday issued a stern warning that citizens not included in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls would forfeit their voting rights and access to government benefits. He emphasized the critical link between voter registration and access to state services, stating, "The right to vote is the right to live."
House-to-House Enumeration Begins
The Election Commission's house-to-house enumeration exercise across Karnataka commenced on Tuesday and will continue until July 29. This drive aims to update the electoral rolls ahead of future elections, ensuring every eligible voter is registered.
Shivakumar drew parallels with measures in other states, noting, "In West Bengal, an order has been issued to verify and delete all ineligible ration beneficiaries based on SIR. Similar measures are being taken by other states. If you lose the right to vote, you'll lose government benefits."
Permanent Residential Certificates to Aid Registration
To facilitate the SIR process, the Karnataka government announced it will issue permanent residential certificates to citizens. The Revenue Department has released comprehensive guidelines for obtaining these certificates, which can be applied for both online and offline.
Citizens can apply online through the Seva Sindhu portal or visit citizen service centers such as Atal Jana Snehi Kendras, Nadakacheris, Bengaluru One, Karnataka One, and Grama One for offline applications.
Enumeration Process Details
Under the SIR exercise, Block Development Officers (BLOs) will visit every household to distribute Enumeration Forms to electors whose names appear on the electoral roll as of June 16. Homes where forms are distributed will be marked with a violet square sticker, while locked houses will receive a red round sticker. BLOs will make at least three visits to collect completed forms where necessary.
The Election Commission clarified that no documents will be collected during the enumeration phase. Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer Anbukumar stated that the revision exercise will cover more than 5.5 crore electors across the state.
Key Dates for Electoral Roll Revision
According to the Election Commission's schedule, the draft electoral roll will be published on August 5. Claims and objections can be submitted until September 4, with the final electoral roll set for publication on October 7.
