Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) V Anbukumar has urged eligible voters whose names are missing from the state’s final electoral roll to apply for inclusion through Form 6, assuring them that their names will be added after due verification. The appeal came on October 27, 2026, after the Election Commission of India (ECI) published the final electoral roll following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
The updated list contains 4,55,00,011 electors, down from 5,54,32,314 before the revision, representing a reduction of 99,32,303 voters. Anbukumar said the authorities had conducted awareness campaigns and special drives to facilitate voter registration, particularly among young people who have turned 18. The final roll was published after officials processed applications, examined objections and conducted hearings.
While the revision was intended to verify electoral records, the substantial decline in the number of registered voters highlights the importance of ensuring that eligible citizens are not excluded from the democratic process. The CEO has reiterated that eligible people who remain unregistered can apply for inclusion through the prescribed procedure.
Voter Count Changes
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Anbukumar said the final electoral roll had been prepared after the authorities completed the prescribed verification process and examined applications submitted during the revision.
“If any eligible voter has not yet been included, I request them to submit Form 6,” he said, according to PTI. He also encouraged people who have recently turned 18 to apply for voter registration immediately. The final roll includes more than 6.83 lakh voters aged between 18 and 19. According to the CEO’s office, the revision involved processing claims and objections, issuing notices and conducting hearings to establish the eligibility of voters whose records required further examination.
After the draft electoral roll was published on August 24, authorities recorded 10,08,038 additions, 1,88,324 deletions and 8,96,519 modifications to existing entries. Of the additions, 8,77,104 electors were included through Form 6, while 2,312 were added through Form 6A for overseas electors. Another 1,28,622 voters were added to their new constituencies through Form 8 applications relating to changes of residence. Anbukumar also rejected reports of officials bulk-generating Form 7 applications to delete voters, stating that the prescribed process required the relevant inquiry and an order by the competent electoral registration officer.
Understanding SIR
The Special Intensive Revision is an exercise to verify electoral records and establish the eligibility of people registered to vote. Karnataka began its SIR exercise on June 30, 2026, covering all 224 Assembly constituencies. Before the revision, the state had 5.54 crore registered electors. When the draft electoral roll was published on August 24, the number stood at approximately 4.46 crore, after more than one crore entries were left out at that stage.
According to The News Minute, the entries excluded from the draft roll included people categorised as absent, permanently shifted, deceased or already registered elsewhere, among other classifications. During the subsequent claims and objections process, the authorities issued approximately 43.8 lakh notices and conducted hearings. Anbukumar said 61,960 people were identified as ineligible following the prescribed inquiry and issuance of reasoned orders.
The final roll reflects the additions, deletions and corrections made after this process. However, the overall decline of 99.32 lakh represents the difference between the electorate before SIR and the final roll; it should not be interpreted as the number of people individually found ineligible after hearings. Eligible voters who are concerned about their enrolment can check the final list through the ECI’s official Voters’ Services Portal or the Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer’s website.
How To Apply
Voters whose names are missing from the final electoral roll can submit Form 6, the ECI’s application form for inclusion in the electoral roll. To apply online, citizens can visit the official Voters’ Services Portal, select Form 6 under new voter registration and complete the application with their personal details and present residential address. Applicants must provide the supporting documents specified in the form’s guidelines, including proof of age where required and proof of ordinary residence.
The completed application and supporting documents can be submitted online. Alternatively, applicants can obtain Form 6 free of charge from their local Booth Level Officer (BLO) or the office of the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) or Assistant Electoral Registration Officer (AERO), and submit it through the prescribed offline procedure. The ECI advises applicants to retain their application reference details so they can track the status of their request. After receiving the application, the relevant electoral authorities may verify the information before deciding whether to include the applicant’s name.
According to the ECI’s official guidance, electoral rolls are continuously updated even after final publication, allowing eligible citizens to apply for registration. Form 6 is for inclusion of a name, while Form 8 is used for corrections and certain changes, including shifting residence. Submitting an application does not automatically guarantee inclusion; approval follows verification by the authorities.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Accurate electoral rolls are essential for free and fair elections, while ensuring that every eligible citizen can exercise their right to vote is equally important. Karnataka’s revised voter list highlights the need for transparent verification, accessible registration procedures and timely grievance redressal. While authorities must maintain accurate records, eligible voters should receive clear guidance on restoring missing entries. How can election officials ensure accurate voter lists while safeguarding every eligible citizen’s right to vote?
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