Karnataka deletes 99 lakh names from final electoral roll

Demographics of the final electoral roll

Karnataka CEO V Anbukkumar said the final electoral roll consists of 22,583,107 male voters and 22,914,063 female voters. There are also 2,841 third-gender electors included in the updated state list.

The final electoral roll includes 6.83 lakh voters in the 18-19 age group. It also features 392,134 voters aged 85 and above, along with 3,252 NRI voters.

Revision process and application statistics

Between June 30 and October 27, the Election Commission carried out the Special Intensive Revision exercise in Karnataka. August 24 saw the publication of the draft electoral roll, while the enumeration phase for this revision began on June 30. At the draft stage, the electoral roll contained 4,46,80,151 electors, and 8,19,714 electors were added to the roll since June 16.

Authorities received approximately 26.23 lakh applications between June 16 and October 26. These included 10,62,336 Form 6 applications for new registration, 4,872 Form 6A applications for overseas electors, 2,29,235 Form 7 applications for objections, and 13.27 lakh Form 8 applications for corrections. Of these 26.23 lakh applications, 20.64 lakh were accepted, 3.03 lakh were rejected, and 2.55 lakh remained pending.

Total additions to the electoral roll reached 10,08,038, including 8,77,104 via Form 6, 2,312 via Form 6A, and 1,28,622 via Form 8. According to CEO V Anbukkumar, the draft electoral roll underwent 8,96,519 modifications and the removal of 1,88,324 electors after claims and objections were verified.

Verification and deletion breakdown

As part of the verification process, election officials held hearings and sent notices to about 43.8 lakh electors. The state Election Commission previously stated that notices would be issued to 43 lakh individuals whose enumeration forms were unmapped or contained anomalies.

Deletions from the draft roll included 1,091 deceased electors, 184 absent electors, 762 duplicate entries, 124,327 related to shifts of residence, and 61,960 individuals found ineligible after notices and hearings. At the draft stage, deletions comprised 65.4 lakh permanently shifted voters, 12.3 lakh dead, 15.1 lakh absent, and 7 lakh duplicate entries. The highest number of voter deletions during the exercise was recorded in the urban districts of Bengaluru.

Official response and public concerns

CEO V Anbukkumar denied media reports that 60,000 Form 7 applications were generated in bulk. He noted that no provision exists for such a process, adding that forms are required to be created in the competent officer's name subsequent to a speaking order and an inquiry.

The Supreme Court in May upheld the legality of the revision but specified that the Election Commission does not have the authority to determine an individual's Indian citizenship.

In some BJP-ruled states, the special intensive revision has been cited as a reason to deny ration cards to those removed from the rolls. Some police departments in these states have also denied passport renewals to individuals removed from the electoral rolls.

Since October 2, nationwide protests have called for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. These protests cite concerns about the Election Commission's operations and alleged irregularities in the roll revision.

Future additions and national context

More than 8.6 lakh names, previously excluded in August, were restored to the draft list during the revision's final stage.

Individuals who apply for inclusion using Form 6 after the Friday deadline for claims and objections will be added through quarterly supplementary lists.

Karnataka is one of 19 states and Union Territories participating in the third phase of the special intensive revision. While the first phase took place in Bihar in 2025, the second phase spanned 12 states and Union Territories from late 2025 through the first half of 2026.