India launches Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Delhi and Karnataka

On June 30 2026 a nationwide Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls began in Delhi and Karnataka. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta of Delhi and Chief Minister D K Shivakumar of Karnataka each filled out an enumeration form to inaugurate the month‑long door‑to‑door verification drive. In Delhi more than 13,000 Booth‑Level Officers (BLOs) are distributing two copies of the form to 1.45 crore voters across 70 Assembly segments; those who fail to submit by July 29 will be removed from the draft roll to be published on August 5, with the final roll due on October 7.

Karnataka’s exercise involves about 5.56 crore voters, 59,050 BLOs and 6,000 supervisors. Enumeration forms are being delivered to both mapped and unmapped voters, with a deadline of July 29 and a draft roll to be released on August 5. The state has also introduced a framework for issuing Permanent Residence Certificates to confirm eligibility for welfare benefits.

Political parties are active in both states. In Delhi opposition parties have raised transparency concerns, while in Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge and the Congress party have demanded answers from the Election Commission on issues such as “logical discrepancy” definitions, AI‑driven deletions and grievance redressal mechanisms. Karnataka officials report 76 % of voters mapped, with 24 lakh still pending and slated for three house visits.

The SIR exercise is intended to produce a clean, up‑to‑date voter list ahead of upcoming state elections, with both governments urging citizens to cooperate to preserve their voting rights and access to government benefits.