SIR: CEO Karnataka website mandates EPIC details, relative’s name, to view 2002 rolls
The Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer's website now requires specific voter identification details to access 2002 electoral rolls, citing high traffic and technical glitches. Citizen groups have criticized the move, arguing it creates unnecessary barriers for volunteers and researchers.
Why it matters
The restriction of access to historical electoral data raises concerns about transparency and the ease of public participation in democratic processes.
With the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls under way, the CEO Karnataka’s website, which allows voters to access legacy electoral rolls — the 2002 rolls — has made the EPIC number, voter’s name or a relative’s name mandatory to view or download the rolls. Alongside EPIC details, the Assembly constituency name or number and district should also be submitted.
Earlier, users could search and download electoral rolls using details such as the Assembly constituency, State, polling station number, and the voter’s name.
Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer V. Anbu Kumar defended the move, saying it was introduced because there were “too many downloads” and the website was experiencing a “high number of hits”. “Many people were complaining that they could not access the rolls and that the website was showing glitches. So we made these details mandatory to streamline the procedure,” he said.
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