More than 61% of people surveyed had not heard about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, while 34% of respondents possessed only Aadhaar and none of the 11 prescribed documents required under the process, according to a three-day awareness campaign in Bengaluru that has raised concerns over voter awareness gaps and the possible exclusion of eligible citizens if the SIR is implemented without proper support systems. 

The ‘My Vote, My Right’ campaign on Friday concluded its three-day ‘SIR Janajagruti Jaatha’, an awareness rally, which covered several parts of the city with a large number of migrants, shops, and street vendors, such as Jayanagar, Malleshwaram, Tilaknagar, Virat Nagar, and Madiwala market.

Organisers conducted a ‘Voter Survey on SIR’ involving 138 respondents across these areas. The findings showed that 61.3% of people had not heard about SIR at all.

During field interactions, organisers said several respondents alleged that Booth Level Officers were not properly mapping voters and, in some cases, were demanding bribes. Many who were aware of the SIR were, however, unaware that ration cards are not among the 11 accepted documents, and that Aadhaar alone is insufficient as proof for verification under notices issued in the process.

Some respondents said they did not have voter ID cards and were unsure whether they needed to apply for one or if they would be automatically included in the revision. Others said they believed that SIR was meant to identify foreign citizens.

The survey also recorded that 91.2% of respondents had Aadhaar cards, but most were unaware that they cannot be used as a standalone document under SIR requirements. Among those aware of SIR, 61.8% said they did not know whether they had been mapped.

Around 65% of respondents said they did not know how to locate their names in the 2002 electoral roll. Only 18.2% said they could do so, mostly using the Election Commission website, EPIC numbers, or with assistance through social media platforms.

The organisers said the findings point to three major concerns — low awareness of SIR, heavy reliance on Aadhaar without other supporting documents among a significant section of voters, and a limited understanding of how to access the 2002 voter list.

The group has requested the Chief Electoral Officer of Karnataka to hold a public meeting on SIR with the State government and civil society organisations, provide clear assurances that no eligible voter will be excluded, and make the software source code used in the process public before implementation.

It has also urged the Chief Minister to direct local administrations to assist voters in obtaining the required documents and to formally communicate concerns to the Chief Electoral Officer based on experiences in other States.