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Politics
Karnataka Minister Meets SIR Protesters, Seeks Deadline Extension Ahead of ECI Review
✍️ The Hindu
🗓 01 Sep 2026, 02:39 PM
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Civil society groups led by actor Prakash Raj protested the high number of deletions in the draft electoral roll and the tight notice‑disposal deadline. Karnataka’s minister met the demonstrators, pledging to raise their concerns and seek an extension before the Election Commission’s review.
Karnataka’s minister held a meeting with protestors organised by civil society groups, the most prominent of which is led by veteran actor Prakash Raj. The gathering was staged to voice dissatisfaction over the large number of entries removed from the draft Supplementary Electoral Roll (SIR) and the narrow window allotted for disposing pending notices.
The protesters argue that the deletions could disenfranchise eligible voters and that the current deadline does not allow sufficient time for affected citizens to respond. They called for a more transparent review process and a longer period to address the notices before the final roll is published.
In response, the minister assured the demonstrators that their grievances will be formally presented to the Election Commission of India. He said he will seek an extension of the SIR deadline to give stakeholders adequate time to contest deletions and clear pending notices, emphasizing the government’s commitment to a fair electoral roll.
The protesters argue that the deletions could disenfranchise eligible voters and that the current deadline does not allow sufficient time for affected citizens to respond. They called for a more transparent review process and a longer period to address the notices before the final roll is published.
In response, the minister assured the demonstrators that their grievances will be formally presented to the Election Commission of India. He said he will seek an extension of the SIR deadline to give stakeholders adequate time to contest deletions and clear pending notices, emphasizing the government’s commitment to a fair electoral roll.