SIR: Migration, low awareness drive Karnataka’s high ASDDO numbers

Karnataka, known for its high draft-stage electoral roll deletions, now has one of the country's highest rates of voters marked as Absent, Shifted, Duplicate, Dead, and Others (ASDDO), with nearly one in five voters falling under this category. While migration plays a significant role, awareness of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process is also a major factor, particularly in Bengaluru, which attracts thousands of workers from across the State and country.

Districts such as Koppal, Raichur, Kalaburagi, Yadgir, and other parts of north Karnataka also report high ASDDO figures due to migration. The Chief Electoral Officer maintains that multiple checks are conducted before marking a voter under ASDDO, but many migrant workers are unaware of the process and lack the necessary identification documents.

Political parties have not actively mobilized migrant communities during the enumeration phase, leaving many without the necessary verification documents. The lack of awareness and support for these vulnerable voters has resulted in thousands falling through the cracks during the SIR process.