Bengaluru, 27 July (H.S.): The High Court of Karnataka on Monday adjourned until July 28 the hearing on a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking directions to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to extend the duration of each phase of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Karnataka from the present one month to three months.
The petition has been jointly filed by noted writer Devanura Mahadeva, historian Ramachandra Guha, Major General (Retd.) S.G. Vombatkere and former Vice-Chancellor of Karnataka State Akkamahadevi Women's University, Prof. Sabiha Bhoomigowda.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice K.S. Hemalekha briefly heard the matter on Monday. During the proceedings, Senior Advocate Vikram Huilgol, appearing for the petitioners, sought time to place before the court certain guidelines issued by the Supreme Court relating to the Special Intensive Revision process.
The request came in response to a query raised by the Bench regarding the apex court's directions on the conduct of electoral roll revisions. Accepting the request, the Bench adjourned the matter for further hearing on July 28.
Apart from seeking an extension of the revision schedule, the petitioners have urged the court to direct the ECI to establish functional voter facilitation centres at every polling booth across the State. They contend that the existing centres are inadequate and could make it difficult for voters to verify or rectify their electoral details within the prescribed timeframe.
The PIL has also sought greater transparency in the process of identifying so-called 'logical discrepancies' in electoral records. The petitioners have requested that the ECI publish the complete criteria used to flag discrepancies, including minor spelling errors or age mismatches. They have further urged that no voter should be marked for exclusion from the draft electoral roll without prior notice and a reasonable opportunity to respond before any decision is taken.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman
