Bengaluru, 30 June

The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has begun in Karnataka from Tuesday, with Chief Minister DK Shivakumar warning citizens to ensure their names remain on the voter list or risk losing access to government benefits.

Describing the right to vote as fundamental, he said, “The right to vote is the right to live.” He added that in West Bengal, orders have been issued to verify and remove ineligible ration beneficiaries based on SIR, and similar measures are being adopted in other states. “If you lose the right to vote, you’ll lose government benefits,” he cautioned.

The Election Commission will conduct a house-to-house enumeration exercise across Karnataka from Tuesday, continuing until 29 July, as part of the revision process.

To assist citizens, the state government has announced the issuance of permanent residential certificates. The Revenue Department has released guidelines stating that these certificates will serve as valid proof of residence. Applications can be made online via the Seva Sindhu portal or offline through service centres such as Atal Jana Snehi Kendras, Nadakacheris, Bengaluru One, Karnataka One, and Grama One centres.

Kicking off the SIR process, Shivakumar and his wife, Usha Shivakumar, filled out the enumeration form at their residence in the presence of Bengaluru South officials.

He said voters must provide the phone number used while obtaining their voter ID, and that any changes in phone numbers would be updated by officials. An OTP would be sent for verification.

He also noted that one family member can fill out and sign enumeration forms on behalf of all members.

Voters may also update their name or photograph while submitting forms. Both online and offline submission options have been made available, including assistance from Booth Level Officers (BLOs), to address digital illiteracy.

Shivakumar acknowledged that not everyone is comfortable using mobile applications and said he himself relies on assistance for such tasks.

He further stated that government benefits should primarily reach verified voters, adding that the state aims to ensure welfare schemes are directed to eligible residents of Karnataka.