DH Interview | Voter mapping boosts electoral rolls’ accuracy: Karnataka CEO V Anbu Kumar

V Anbu Kumar, Chief Electoral Officer of Karnataka, in an exclusive interview to Prathima Nandakumar of Deccan Herald, says that the ongoing mapping is verification exercise aimed at improving the accuracy of electoral rolls.

Bengaluru: With Karnataka undergoing a statewide Voter Mapping Exercise ahead of a proposed Special Intensive Revision (SIR), concerns over possible voter exclusion have begun to surface, especially in light of large-scale deletions reported in states like West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Assam.

V Anbu Kumar, Chief Electoral Officer of Karnataka, in an exclusive interview to Prathima Nandakumar of Deccan Herald, says that the ongoing mapping is a preparatory, verification exercise aimed at improving the accuracy of electoral rolls — not excluding genuine voters. He explains the process, the safeguards, and how the Election Commission plans to address fears of wrongful deletions.

What is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), and how is it different from the Special Summary Revision (SSR)?

Every year, we conduct a Special Summary Revision (SSR), usually based on a qualifying date such as January 1 of a given year. During the SSR, we do not review the entire voter list. Requests for addition, deletion or modification of voter details are considered during this revision.

In contrast, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is conducted periodically, as decided by the Election Commission of India. During the SIR, we verify each and every voter in the electoral roll. This is the ninth time SIR is being conducted in India. So, while SSR is annual and limited in scope, the SIR is comprehensive and involves full verification of the voter list.

How is the Election Commission preparing for SIR?

Preparation involves mapping electoral rolls from the last SIR with the current roll. In Karnataka, the last SIR was conducted in 2002, when there were about 3.5 crore voters. Today, in 2025, we have 5.56 crore voters.

We compare the 2002 roll with the current roll to identify which voters are continuing and how new voters are linked. For example, if a person was present in 2002 and continues in 2025, they are marked as continuing. If someone was not present earlier, we map them to a related voter, such as a parent or grandparent.

This mapping helps identify where voters were in 2002 and simplifies the verification process, which is the responsibility of Booth Level Officers (BLOs).

Watch the full interview here:

How will Booth Level Officers (BLOs) approach voters?

We have around 59,050 BLOs in Karnataka, who have been trained and provided with both the 2002 and current electoral rolls, along with a dedicated mobile application.

BLOs will use the app to map voters digitally. If they already know the voter, they may complete the mapping themselves. If not, they may visit the voter and ask basic questions, such as where the person was registered in 2002. This is an administrative exercise, and no forms are being distributed at this stage.

How can voters check if their name has been mapped?

Currently, voters are not required to verify mapping themselves. It is the responsibility of the BLO. However, if voters wish to check, they can download the ECI Net app. By entering their EPIC number, voters can find their polling station and the contact details of their BLO.

What is the current status of the mapping exercise ?

Out of the 5.56 crore voters, 4.67 crore voters have already been mapped, which is about 84.13%. Some districts like Kodagu and Mandya have crossed 93% mapping, while urban areas like Bengaluru are currently around 70%. Overall, 178 out of 224 Assembly constituencies have achieved more than 80% mapping, and 92 constituencies have crossed 90%.

Why mapping is slower in Bengaluru?

Bengaluru has a very large and dynamic population, with over 1.03 crore voters. This makes the process more complex.

What should voters do if they have not yet been contacted?

There is no need to worry. BLOs will reach out to all voters. Mapping is an ongoing process and will continue even after SIR is notified, up to two days before the draft roll is published.

There are concerns about lack of public awareness and written protocols. What is your response?

At this stage, we are only identifying and mapping voters and SIR has not been officially notified. Once SIR begins, enumeration forms will be issued to every voter. The entire process will be clearly explained through official notifications, media briefings, and outreach efforts.

Will electoral rolls be frozen during SIR?

Yes. Unlike SSR, during SIR, the electoral roll will be frozen for a specified period (typically around 60 days, as notified). During this time, no additions or deletions can be made. However, continuous updation is currently ongoing until the notification is issued.

What happens if a person’s name appears in multiple voter lists?

SIR is to identify duplicate, shifted, absentee, and deceased voters. If a person is registered in multiple places, they will receive forms in each location and must retain only one valid entry.

What’s the process once SIR is notified?

Once notified, all voters in the electoral roll will receive two copies of the enumeration form. They must sign and return one copy to the
BLO and retain the other as proof. Further details of the process will be communicated clearly after the official notification.

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