Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Tuesday launched the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Karnataka by filling up and submitting his Enumeration Form at his Sadashivanagar residence, while appealing to citizens across the State to participate in the exercise and safeguard their voting rights. Mr. Shivakumar and his wife, Usha Shivakumar, completed the forms in the presence of Bengaluru South Deputy Commissioner and district election officials. Later speaking to mediapersons, the Chief Minister said the SIR process had formally begun in the State and urged voters to ensure that their details in the electoral rolls were up to date.
He said electors would have to furnish the mobile number that had been previously linked to their voter records. Those wishing to change or update their phone number can do so through election officials, after which the one-time password (OTP) would be sent to the registered number. Mr. Shivakumar said the exercise also provided an opportunity for voters to correct their names and update photographs in the electoral rolls. He said Booth Level Agents (BLAs), Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and supervisory officials had already established WhatsApp groups to assist voters during the process.
Stating that the procedure had been simplified for families, the Chief Minister said it would be sufficient if one member of a household signed the forms on behalf of all family members. “One member can fill up and submit the forms for the entire family and they will be accepted,” he said. Referring to the documentation required for first-time voters, Mr. Shivakumar said new electors would have to produce proof of residence.
He added that the State government had made arrangements to facilitate the issuance of residence certificates and other required documents so that eligible citizens were not inconvenienced while completing the verification process. The Chief Minister urged people not to neglect the exercise. “Everyone should safeguard their voting rights.
If they fail to do so, they may find it difficult to access government schemes and services in future,” he said. When asked about the concern that some people, particularly the elderly and those unfamiliar with smartphones, might face difficulties using the ECINet application, Mr. Shivakumar admitted that he too had taken assistance while completing the online process. “I am also not familiar with using the app.
I took the help of others. Those who are not comfortable with the online process can obtain the form from the Booth Level Officer and complete it offline,” he said. Asked about the significance of the SIR exercise in Karnataka, the Chief Minister referred to developments in some other States, where, he claimed, certain welfare benefits were being linked to voter status.
“Our guarantees are meant for the people of Karnataka. Why should benefits meant for Karnataka be extended to voters from other States? Our intention is that these benefits should reach only the residents and voters of Karnataka,” he said.
