Bengaluru, June 30: Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar launched the Special Intensive Review (SIR) campaign for the voter list from his residence in Sadashivanagar on Tuesday. He personally filled out and submitted the enumeration form, urging all eligible voters to complete this process promptly. He emphasized that safeguarding the right to vote is a civic responsibility and crucial for benefiting from future government schemes.
The Chief Minister received the enumeration forms from election officials, marking the beginning of a month-long door-to-door voter verification campaign across the state. Yashwant Gurukar, the Deputy Commissioner of Bengaluru South, was also present, as the Chief Minister’s ancestral village, Doddalahalli (Kanakapura), falls under his jurisdiction.
In a conversation with the media, Shivakumar stated that the SIR campaign commenced from his home, making him the first public representative to complete the process. He appealed to all eligible voters to fill out and submit their enumeration forms within the specified timeframe.
He acknowledged that filling out the form might seem complex due to the detailed information required. However, he stressed the importance of this process to ensure that no eligible citizen is left out of the voter list. He mentioned that necessary documents, such as residence and caste certificates, could be submitted where required.
The Chief Minister warned that failing to secure voter identification today could lead to difficulties in accessing government schemes in the future. He reiterated that the state government aims to ensure that welfare benefits reach only the genuine residents of Karnataka.
During this process, voters can also update their mobile numbers, facilitating access to OTPs and other digital services related to voter services. Additionally, necessary amendments can be made to names, photos, and other details.
Shivakumar noted that booth-level officers (BLOs) and booth-level agents (BLAs) are creating WhatsApp groups to assist voters. If a family member is away from home, a responsible family member can sign the enumeration form on their behalf. All completed forms must be submitted to the respective BLO or BLA by July 29.
The Chief Minister advised individuals facing difficulties filling out the form via the mobile app to opt for offline forms instead. He shared that he also encountered challenges with the app, making the offline method more straightforward. He clarified that providing Aadhaar information is optional and can be submitted as additional information.
Regarding government schemes, the Chief Minister mentioned that some states have stopped providing welfare benefits to individuals registered in other states. Karnataka may adopt similar criteria in the future, as the government intends to prevent individuals from benefiting from schemes in multiple states.
Previously, the Chief Minister announced that the state government would issue permanent residence certificates to simplify the SIR process. These certificates will be available both online and offline through the Seva Sindhu portal.
It is noteworthy that the special intensive review campaign for the voter list in Karnataka will run from June 30 to July 29. During this period, booth-level officers will verify voters door-to-door and collect enumeration forms. The draft voter list will be published on August 5, with the final voter list to be released on October 7 after addressing claims and objections.
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