SIR: NDA seeks fresh voter enumeration, CM rejects charge of malpractice

Bengaluru: The NDA on Monday urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to order fresh enumeration in parts of Karnataka where it alleged the Congress government had engineered irregularities during the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The ruling Congress rejected the allegations, with Chief Minister DK Shivakumar accusing the BJP-led alliance of attempting to deprive the poor and minorities of their voting rights.

An NDA delegation, led by Union ministers Pralhad Joshi and HD Kumaraswamy, Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje, Leader of Opposition R Ashoka and former chief minister DV Sadananda Gowda, submitted a memorandum to the state's Chief Electoral Officer in Bengaluru. The alliance said it would also approach the ECI in New Delhi.


Speaking to ET, Joshi alleged that voter enumeration was being carried out at mosques, madrassas and dargahs in violation of the ECI's guidelines.

He further alleged that the Congress was attempting to subvert the SIR exercise by facilitating the inclusion of illegal Bangladeshi migrants in the electoral rolls.

Joshi also accused Shivakumar of creating panic by warning that beneficiaries of the state's guarantee schemes could lose benefits if their names did not appear in the revised electoral rolls.

"The chief minister's statement triggered a rush for enrolment, with announcements being made through loudspeakers in madrassas and WhatsApp groups," he alleged.

Rejecting the allegations, Shivakumar said the state government was only creating awareness about the revision exercise and was not interfering with the ECI's work.

"Even though we oppose the SIR process, our government is creating awareness. There is no government interference. No other state has cooperated with the SIR process the way Karnataka has," he told reporters.

The chief minister said the Congress had reservations about the timeline for the revision exercise and would challenge it in court.

"We have joined hands with the ECI because we must protect everyone's right to vote," he said.

Responding to the BJP's allegations on illegal migrants, Shivakumar said the Opposition was branding Karnataka's own citizens as Bangladeshis.

"If illegal Bangladeshi immigrants were present, why did you not deport them when you were in power?" he asked the BJP.