Belagavi, Karnataka – A controversy has emerged in Karnataka’s Belagavi district following allegations that schoolchildren were enlisted to assist Booth Level Officers (BLOs) in voter verification tasks during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The incident reportedly took place at a government school in Maradimath village of Gokak taluk, prompting the Deputy Commissioner to order an inquiry into the matter.
The Chenab Times has learned that videos circulating on social media purportedly depict students helping villagers fill out enumeration forms and affixing photographs onto voter registration documents within the school premises. This alleged involvement of minors in official election-related activities has ignited concerns regarding adherence to the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) established guidelines and the appropriateness of involving children in administrative processes.
Local residents have voiced their objections, questioning why trained election personnel were not exclusively managing the documentation process. The incident has cast a shadow over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, a crucial nationwide undertaking by the ECI aimed at ensuring the accuracy and comprehensiveness of electoral rolls. The SIR involves detailed, house-to-house verification of voters’ details, including names, ages, and addresses, with the objective of updating electoral rolls, identifying unregistered voters, and improving data integrity.
According to reports from The Siasat Daily, the alleged incident occurred at the Government Kannada Higher Primary School in Maradimath village. The videos suggest that BLOs were utilizing the school as a location for voter enumeration activities, and that children present at the school were engaged in assisting voters with form completion. The Belagavi Deputy Commissioner, Mohammad Roshan, has since ordered an inquiry and issued a showcause notice in relation to the alleged lapses, as reported by local media outlets.
This specific event in Belagavi is occurring against a backdrop of broader criticisms and concerns surrounding the SIR exercise across Karnataka. Opposition parties have already raised objections, questioning the methodology and transparency of the revision process. Reports from various parts of the state suggest that some BLOs have reportedly been conducting enumeration activities from community spaces such as temples and mosques, deviating from the mandated door-to-door verification procedure, according to information from NDTV and other news sources.
The Election Commission of India’s SIR initiative is designed to be a meticulous process. Booth Level Officers are entrusted with the primary responsibility of conducting door-to-door visits to distribute and collect enumeration forms, ensuring that every eligible citizen is correctly registered and that electoral rolls are free from errors. The ECI has issued clear directives for BLOs to conduct thorough house-to-house verification as a fundamental part of this revision exercise. The overarching goal of the SIR is to guarantee that electoral rolls are accurate, up-to-date, and reflect the true electorate, thereby upholding the principles of free and fair elections.
In the context of the allegations in Maradimath village, while the Deputy Commissioner has ordered an inquiry, official statements providing a comprehensive clarification on the specific incident involving schoolchildren are still awaited. This situation highlights the sensitivity and importance of maintaining the integrity of the electoral process, particularly during extensive revision exercises like the SIR. Past incidents in Karnataka, such as allegations of voter data misuse by non-governmental organizations, have also led to scrutiny and official actions, underscoring the need for strict compliance with ECI guidelines during electoral processes.
The SIR process, which commenced in Karnataka on June 30, 2026, is scheduled to continue until July 29, 2026, with the final electoral rolls slated for publication on October 7, 2026. This extensive revision aims to cover over 5.54 crore electors in the state through the efforts of approximately 59,000 BLOs. The Election Commission emphasizes that participation in the SIR is crucial for all eligible voters, even those who already possess a Voter ID, to ensure their details are current and accurate.
The inquiry into the alleged use of schoolchildren in Belagavi is expected to examine the extent of their involvement and whether it contravened established electoral procedures. The outcome of this investigation will be critical in addressing the concerns raised by residents and political observers regarding the conduct of the ongoing voter revision drive in Karnataka.
The Chenab Times News Desk