Bhatkal: The Majlis-e-Islah-wa-Tanzeem, a century-old social organisation in Bhatkal, has urged the Karnataka authorities to allow adult family members to respond to Special Intensive Revision (SIR) notices and submit required documents on behalf of voters residing abroad or outside the state.
The Tanzeem’s General Secretary, Azizur Rahman Ruknuddin Nadvi, met Uttara Kannada Deputy Commissioner K. Lakshmi Priya in Karwar and submitted a memorandum seeking the provision.
Nadvi said a large number of voters from Bhatkal are currently living abroad or outside Karnataka for employment, education and other reasons. He pointed out that such voters may find it difficult to personally appear before the concerned authorities within the stipulated period if they receive notices during the SIR process.
Citing a directive issued by the Chief Electoral Officer of Telangana on August 27, 2026, Nadvi said adult family members aged above 18 have been permitted to appear before Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) or Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) and submit responses and necessary documents on behalf of senior citizens, persons with disabilities, those who are ill and overseas voters.
He urged Karnataka to adopt a similar arrangement, particularly in Bhatkal, and submitted a copy of the Telangana directive along with the memorandum.
The Tanzeem said the proposed measure would ensure that eligible voters are not deprived of their right to vote merely because they are geographically distant, while providing them a fair and equal opportunity to participate in the SIR process.
Deputy Commissioner Lakshmi Priya received the memorandum and assured the delegation that necessary action would be taken in the matter. Advocate Imran Lanka, Abdul Majid Ruknuddin, Adam Panambur and others were part of the delegation.