Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Sep 9: More than 43.81 lac voters across Karnataka have received notices from the Election Commission as the state’s electoral roll undergoes a Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
The notices have been issued in cases where a voter’s parental or family lineage linkage is missing, discrepancies in the address have been found, or other technical irregularities have been detected in electoral records.
The development has caused concern among voters, particularly those apprehensive about the possibility of their names being removed from the electoral roll. However, the notice also provides affected voters an opportunity to establish their eligibility and ensure that genuine names are not deleted.
The official hearing process began on September 5, and those who have received notices are required to appear in person at designated centres and submit documents supporting their claims.
The hearing venues may include schools, community halls or Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) offices.
Maximum three documents — what voters can carry
According to the latest Election Commission guidelines, ERO officials cannot ask a voter to produce more than three documents, including Aadhaar, during the verification process.
Nevertheless, voters are advised to keep relevant documents ready in advance to avoid last-minute difficulties.
Identity and address proof
The following documents can be used to establish identity and residence:
• Aadhaar card
• Voter ID card
• Ration card
• Current bank passbook or passport
• Recent electricity bill or water bill
Proof of family linkage and age
For establishing age and parental or family lineage, voters can keep the following documents ready:
• Birth certificate
• SSLC (Class 10) marks card or Transfer Certificate
• If these documents are unavailable, parents’ Voter ID details can be used.
• A Permanent Resident Certificate issued by the Revenue Department may also be used, where applicable.
These records can assist officials in verifying the voter’s identity, age and linkage with parents or other relevant family records.
Notice recipient must attend hearing personally
The person named in the notice must personally appear before the authorities for the hearing. A family member cannot attend on their behalf, and a lawyer is also not permitted to represent the notice recipient at the hearing, according to the information provided.
Voters should carry photocopies of all relevant documents, along with the original documents for verification.
The originals will have to be produced before officials during the verification process.
No notice at home? Voters can check the list
Voters who have not received a notice at home but are concerned about their names can check the notice list online.
The official website of the Karnataka chief electoral officer provides a list of notices issued. Voters can access the notices_issued.html page using their mobile phones and check whether their names appear on the notice list.
Therefore, those who have not physically received a notice are also advised to verify their details rather than wait until the last moment.
SIR objection and hearing process till September 23
The SIR objection submission and hearing process will continue until September 23, 2026.
Voters who have received notices should attend the designated hearing centre within the stipulated period, carrying the necessary documents and their originals for verification.
Those unclear about the notice, documents required, hearing location or verification procedure can approach their respective Booth Level Officer (BLO) for clarification.
With more than 43.81 lac voters receiving notices, the ongoing revision has become a significant exercise in updating Karnataka’s electoral rolls.
Voters who receive SIR notices are advised to check their status, attend the hearing if required and carry the appropriate documents to establish their eligibility and protect their names on the electoral roll.