Karnataka electoral roll revision flags nearly 20% of voters, raising disenfranchisement concerns

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has extended the deadline for Karnataka's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Enumeration now ends on August 17, draft voter lists will be released on August 24, and the final rolls are scheduled for October 27. According to the Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer, 1,09,83,901 electors – about 19.8% of the state's 5.54 million registered voters – have been classified as absent, shifted, duplicate, dead or other (ASDDO). Bengaluru Urban recorded the highest number of discrepancies, with 17.7 lakh cases, while BBMP South reported 10.9 lakh.

The ECI received more than 12.4 lakh applications for inclusion, correction or deletion of names, including 3.83 lakh for new entries and 31 k for deletions. Political parties have voiced concerns: a Janata Dal (Secular) and BJP delegation lodged a complaint over alleged irregularities.

Separately, US Congressman Riley Moore warned that India's proposed amendment to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act could be perceived as an attack on Christians and may strain bilateral ties. In a related human‑rights development, 78‑year‑old Mohammed Naeem was acquitted after 33 years in a sedition case linked to the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition.