Karnataka Voter Roll Revamp: Over 1 Crore Names Struck Off Amid Special Revision

In a significant electoral update, the Election Commission of Karnataka has announced the removal of over one crore names from the draft voter list as part of a special intensive revision of electoral rolls. This change has led to a dramatic decrease in the number of voters listed, dropping from approximately 5.5 crore to 4.4 crore. This means that around 19.4% of the state’s electorate will no longer be included in the draft roll.

Karnataka is currently engaged in the third phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of its voter rolls, a process that aims to ensure the accuracy and integrity of electoral data. Chief Electoral Officer V Anbukumar stated that notices will be dispatched to about 43 lakh individuals whose applications contained discrepancies or who failed to be adequately mapped during the enumeration process.

For those affected by this significant revision, the period from August 24 to September 23 has been earmarked for filing claims and objections regarding their removal from the draft list. The authorities have pledged to address these appeals by October 22, ahead of the final publication of the electoral roll scheduled for October 27. This move is part of a broader initiative across 16 states to ensure robust electoral processes through systematic revisions.

In a separate yet notable development, the Delhi High Court has summoned several parties, including political commentator Abhijit Iyer-Mitra, and media outlets such as The Pamphlet and Law Beat, in relation to a privacy lawsuit filed by Saurav Das, a spokesperson for the Cockroach Janta Party. The lawsuit alleges that Das’s home address and other personal details were disclosed online without consent. The defendants have been instructed to respond to the court within 10 days, highlighting an increasing concern over privacy issues in the digital age.

The cases underscore the ongoing efforts by authorities to uphold electoral integrity while also safeguarding individuals’ privacy rights in an era where information is just a click away. As Karnataka approaches critical phases in its electoral process, the outcomes of these revisions and legal proceedings will be closely watched by citizens and officials alike.

Source: scroll.in