Karnataka receives 25.87 lakh voter-roll applications; final list on Oct 27

Bengaluru, Oct 23 : The Election Commission has received 25,87,461 applications for inclusion, deletion and correction of voter details in Karnataka between June 16 and October 22, with the final electoral roll scheduled to be published on October 27 following the completion of hearings under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).

The large number of applications, particularly those seeking changes to existing electoral entries, has drawn attention to the scrutiny of voter records ahead of the publication of the final list.

According to the Commission, the applications include 10,42,863 Form 6 applications seeking the inclusion of new voters and 4,840 Form 6A applications for registration of Indian citizens residing abroad.

The Commission also received 2,28,917 Form 7 applications relating to objections to the inclusion or deletion of names from the electoral rolls. In addition, 13,10,841 Form 8 applications were submitted seeking corrections to voter details, including names and addresses.

The Commission said the hearing process relating to all notices issued during the revision exercise had been completed across the state, with no cases pending at that stage. The deadline for filing objections ended on October 22.

All Form 7 applications received up to September 23 were taken up on priority and disposed of after examination, the Commission said.

These applications have come under scrutiny amid concerns over their possible misuse to seek the deletion of eligible voters' names from the electoral rolls.

The notice distribution and hearing process has been completed in all districts, including Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru North, Bengaluru Central and Bengaluru South, as well as all zones under the Greater Bengaluru Authority.

The final electoral roll, scheduled for publication on October 27, will mark a crucial stage in the revision exercise.

However, the total number of applications received should not be equated with the number of voters ultimately added to or removed from the electoral rolls.