Karnatakas Final Voter List Set to Be Released on October 27
Karnataka will publish its final voter list on October 27, following extensive hearings on over 43 lakh notices.
Bengaluru, October 23 (Daily Kiran) : The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Karnataka announced on Friday that the final voter list for 2026 will be published on October 27, as per the schedule set by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
This announcement came after the completion of hearings regarding notices issued during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls. According to a press release from the CEO’s office, a total of 4,382,824 notices were issued and distributed across the state, with hearings for these notices now concluded.
From June 16 to October 22, the office received 2,587,461 applications in various categories. These included 1,042,863 Form 6 applications for registering names in the voter list, 4,840 Form 6A applications for including overseas voters, 228,917 Form 7 applications for objections regarding name registration or removal, and 1,310,841 Form 8 applications for corrections and other changes in the voter list.
The Chief Minister‘s office stated that all Form 7 applications, submitted by the deadline of September 23, have been prioritized for processing. It was clarified that the process of registering names and making corrections in the voter list is ongoing. Eligible applicants can submit the relevant Form 6, Form 6A, Form 7, or Form 8 to the concerned Electoral Registration Officers (EROs).
Applications can be submitted online via the ECI Net app or offline through Booth Level Officers (BLOs), Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs), and the offices of Electoral Registration Officers.
The press note further indicated that detailed information regarding the final voter list for 2026 will be made available on October 27.
Concerns surrounding the SIR process in Karnataka have been highlighted, particularly allegations that a significant number of Form 7 applications have been filed to remove eligible voters’ names, especially in constituencies represented by Congress legislators.
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and other Congress leaders have accused the ruling party of submitting numerous pre-filled Form 7 applications to target eligible voters. The party has lodged a protest with the CEO, demanding action against those responsible.
In response, BJP leaders have denied claims of fraudulent applications, arguing that electoral objections can be filed and should be verified by election officials.
Karnataka’s Chief Election Commissioner V. Anbukumar has ordered an investigation into the suspected fraudulent applications and instructed officials to initiate legal action wherever discrepancies are proven. He also emphasized that lodging an objection on Form 7 does not automatically remove a voter’s name; proper procedures and verification are required.
