Karnataka’s electoral roll revision hits 61%, Bengaluru lags behind

Karnataka’s voter roll revision has mapped 61% of electors; districts progress well, but Bengaluru lags at ~27%, with BLOs set for door-to-door checks

Preparations for Karnataka’s State‑wide Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls are progressing steadily, with authorities reporting that more than 61% of electors above the cut‑off age have been mapped. However, Bengaluru’s urban zones remain a significant outlier, trailing far behind other districts.

As of January 15, officials confirmed that 1.92 crore electors aged 40 and above had been mapped out of the 3.12 crore identified in the 2025 rolls. In total, 3.28 crore electors — combining system‑verified and Booth Level Officer (BLO)‑verified entries — have been mapped across the State. This represents 58.74% of Karnataka’s 5.57 crore electors.

Election authorities have set a fresh target, directing district officials to complete mapping of at least one crore additional electors by the end of the month. Urban areas, particularly those within the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), have been asked to accelerate efforts.

District‑wise data shows strong progress in many regions. Southern, central, and northern districts have crossed the 70% mark, with Tumakuru (76.4%), Chitradurga (75.7%), Haveri (75.1%), Koppal (75.1%), and Vijayapura (70.8%) among the best performers. Smaller districts such as Kodagu (70.4%) and Chamarajanagar (75.5%) have also kept pace. Coastal Karnataka has seen mixed results, with Udupi at 66.5%, Dakshina Kannada at 58.6%, and Mysuru at 64.3%.

Also Read: Lalbagh Flower Show draws massive crowd, over 32,000 visitors in a single day

By contrast, Bengaluru’s three GBA zones — Central, North, and South — have recorded only 26–27% completion, while Bengaluru Urban outside GBA stands at 29.9%. Officials attribute the lag to rapid migration, high population mobility, and large numbers of unverified entries.

A parallel exercise involves mapping ‘progeny’ electors — individuals born after 2002 who will become eligible in the coming years. Statewide, 1.35 crore progeny records have been consolidated, with districts such as Belagavi, Bagalkot, Tumakuru, and Vijayapura showing stronger progress than Bengaluru.

With system‑based mapping nearing saturation, BLOs will soon begin intensified door‑to‑door verification. This phase will focus on confirming identity and address, removing duplicate or shifted entries, and ensuring no eligible voter is excluded.

The SIR cycle will continue with hearings and scrutiny before final rolls are prepared. Political parties are closely monitoring the process, given its implications for upcoming civic and Assembly elections. Officials stress that the exercise remains non‑partisan and strictly follows Election Commission guidelines.

Also Read: Women’s representation in GBA polls faces challenges despite expansion