Central Minister Demands Independent Oversight of Voter List Revision in Karnataka

Shobha Karandlaje, who heads the Ministry of MSMEs and Labour at the Centre, has asked the Election Commission to appoint neutral monitors for Karnataka’s Special Intensive Revision. According to her letter, the current rollout shows a pattern of using public halls as verification camps, which dilutes the purpose of physically confirming each voter's residence. The minister warned that such shortcuts could open the door for illegal migrants and other ineligible persons to be added to the electoral roll, thereby undermining public confidence in the electoral system. She cited Article 324 of the Constitution, stressing that the commission must remain independent, impartial and free from executive pressure.