1. Karnataka SIR: Over 43.80 lakh voters to get notice; over 20 lakh flagged for ‘logical discrepancy’

After much silence over the most controversial category of “logical discrepancies”, the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka, has identified more than 20.35 lakh voters whose enumeration forms are in this category. These discrepancies or anomalies have been identified under nine categories.

Besides this, notices will be served to another 23.45 lakh people who could not find their own or their parents’ details in the 2002 electoral roll. Together, 43.80 lakh notices will be served across Karnataka, of which 24.05 lakh are concentrated in Bengaluru alone.

The notices will be served by BLOs, while hearings will be conducted by the ERO or AERO. Any government premises, such as a police station or government building nearest to the polling station, will be chosen as the hearing venue. A voter receiving the notice must meet the ERO in person, even if they submit documents online.

2. D.K. Shivakumar seeks ‘fairness’ for Southern states in devolution and delimitation

Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar made a pitch for “fairness in funds, voice and respect” for Southern states, which form the “engine of the Indian economy”, addressing the 31st meeting of the Southern Zonal Council at Mahabalipuram, chaired by Home Minister Amit Shah.

He forwarded the growth argument to demand both better devolution of taxes for southern states and fair representation in delimitation. The Chief Minister urged the Council to adopt a resolution calling upon the Union government to honour the 1971 census as the basis for delimitation, retain the Lok Sabha’s existing strength of 543 seats for the next 25 years, and accommodate women’s reservation within these existing seats, according to a communique by the CMO.

3. BJP disrupts Karnataka Assembly demanding list of drought-hit taluks, exit of B. Nagendra from Cabinet

Leader of Opposition R. Ashok challenged the ruling Congress government to first announce the drought-hit taluks in Karnataka before initiating a debate on the drought situation. The opposition was ready to participate in a debate on the drought, he said, provided the government first declared the affected areas and initiated measures to address the situation.

Amid sloganeering against Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over the induction of B. Nagendra into the State Cabinet, Mr. Ashok alleged that the government was unaware of the prevailing drought situation. He said the government had neither reviewed the situation nor prepared a list of taluks facing severe drought following a deficit monsoon.

Published - August 20, 2026 07:21 pm IST