Story highlights
- With the Special Electoral Roll (SIR) exercise about to begin in Karnataka, questions have once again arisen over the validity of residence certificates.
- While the government says that residence certificates issued by Panchayat Development Officers can be used, the Election Commission has made it clear that only permanent residence certificates will be accepted.
- Civil society groups are warning that thousands of voters are likely to face difficulties due to this discrepancy.
With the Special Electoral Roll (SIR) exercise about to begin in Karnataka, questions have once again arisen over the validity of residence certificates. While the government says that residence certificates issued by Panchayat Development Officers can be used, the Election Commission has made it clear that only permanent residence certificates will be accepted. Civil society groups are warning that thousands of voters are likely to face difficulties due to this discrepancy. They are demanding that the government issue clear guidelines on this issue.
