Karnataka Final Electoral Roll to Be Published on October 27; Over 25.87 Lakh Applications Received During SIR

According to the CEO's office, a total of 43,82,824 notices were generated and delivered across Karnataka, and hearings related to these notices have been completed.

Between June 16 and October 22, election authorities received 25,87,461 applications across different categories concerning voter registration and changes to electoral roll entries.

These included 10,42,863 Form 6 applications seeking the inclusion of names in the electoral roll, 4,840 Form 6A applications for overseas electors, 2,28,917 Form 7 applications relating to objections to inclusion or requests for deletion, and 13,10,841 Form 8 applications seeking corrections and other changes.

The CEO's office said all Form 7 applications received up to September 23, the deadline for filing claims and objections, had been cleared on a priority basis.

Officials clarified that voter enrolment and corrections to electoral roll entries remain ongoing processes. Eligible citizens can submit Form 6, Form 6A, Form 7 or Form 8, depending on the nature of their application, to the concerned Electoral Registration Officer (ERO).

Applications can be filed online through the ECINET app or offline through Booth Level Officers (BLOs), Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) and EROs.

The detailed final electoral roll for 2026 will be made available on October 27, the CEO's office said.

Political Dispute Over Form 7 Applications

The electoral roll revision has triggered a political dispute in Karnataka, with Congress leaders alleging that bulk Form 7 applications were submitted to remove eligible voters' names, particularly in constituencies represented by Congress legislators.

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and other Congress leaders alleged that pre-filled Form 7 applications were being filed in large numbers and could be used to target legitimate voters. The party protested before the Chief Electoral Officer and sought action against those responsible.

BJP leaders disputed the allegations, arguing that objections to electoral roll entries can be submitted through the prescribed process and must be examined by election authorities.

Karnataka CEO V. Anbukkumar ordered inquiries into suspected false applications and directed officials to initiate legal action wherever wrongdoing is established.

He also clarified that filing a Form 7 objection does not automatically result in the deletion of a voter's name. Any proposed deletion must follow verification and the prescribed legal procedure.

The publication of the final electoral roll is expected to provide an updated picture of voter registration in the state, while the process for eligible applicants to seek enrolment or corrections will continue under election rules.