Bengaluru, India—The former Karnataka Chief Minister and current Leader of the Opposition, D. Shivakumar, dismissed allegations that the State Election Commission (SEC) was tampering with the State Information Retrieval (SIR) system. In a statement released on Thursday, Shivakumar said that officials involved in the SIR were acting under the guidance of the Election Commission of India (ECI) and urged the central body to investigate the claims.
“Let the EC probe the allegations,” Shivakumar said, adding that the SEC had followed all established protocols. He further accused the ruling coalition of “indulging in politics” and suggested that the opposition’s criticism was politically motivated.
The SIR system, launched last year, is intended to centralise voter data for upcoming elections. In recent weeks, reports surfaced that the SEC had made changes to the database that some opposition leaders said could affect voter rolls. The ECI has yet to issue a formal statement on the matter.
Shivakumar’s remarks come amid growing scrutiny of election administration in Karnataka, where the ruling coalition has won a majority in the recent assembly polls. The opposition has called for greater transparency in the handling of voter data, citing concerns about potential manipulation.
Analysis: Shivakumar’s insistence that the SEC operated under ECI direction may be an attempt to distance the state from allegations of interference. The call for an ECI probe could be seen as a strategic move to shift responsibility to a central authority. Whether the ECI will launch an inquiry remains to be seen.
Sources
Hindustan Times, “Shivakumar rejects charge of govt interference in SIR, accuses Oppn of ‘indulging in politics’,” April 18 2026. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/shivakumar-rejects-charge-of-govt-interference-in-sir-accuses-oppn-of-indulging-in-politics-101783337693249.html
Story synopsis gathered from: Hindustan Times – India News — source
Corrections
If you believe this article contains an error, contact Herald Express with the source URL and supporting evidence.
