A week after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) began, fewer than 0.5% of voters have managed to submit their enumeration forms online. Voters cite persistent technical glitches, captcha failures, and mobile‑linking issues on the ECINet portal.

Key Takeaways

  • Only 0.41% of enumeration forms were submitted online during the first week of SIR.
  • ECINet portal suffers from captcha failures, slow responses, and OTP linking problems.
  • Online submission requires additional steps not needed for physical forms, creating a barrier for many voters.

Since the launch of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) on July 13 in Karnataka, the online submission rate for voter enumeration forms has remained below half a percent. The Election Commission’s ECINet portal, intended to streamline the update of electoral rolls, is plagued by continuous technical glitches that hinder the digital filing process.

Background and Procedure

SIR aims to refresh the 2002 electoral rolls, eliminating outdated entries and ensuring accurate data for upcoming elections. Traditionally, each household receives a physical enumeration form that any adult family member can complete and sign on behalf of an absent relative. The online alternative, however, mandates that the voter themselves submit the form, provided their mobile number is linked to the Elector Photo Identity Card (EPIC). This linkage relies on an Aadhaar‑based e‑sign system and a one‑time password (OTP) sent to the registered mobile number.

Technical Hurdles

Voters report repeated captcha failures, sluggish browser performance, and generic error messages on the ECINet portal. Moreover, many older voters discover that their mobile numbers are not linked to their EPIC, forcing them to first file Form 8 to update the number—a step described as cumbersome and time‑consuming.

Physical vs. Digital Preference

While some voters prefer the online portal for its English interface—physical forms are only available in Kannada—technical setbacks have driven many back to waiting for the paper forms. Block Level Officers (BLOs) echo these concerns, noting that they too encounter the same portal errors while assisting constituents.

Implications Going Forward

Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer V. Anbu Kumar affirmed that the enumeration process is ongoing but refrained from addressing the reported glitches. If unresolved, these technical barriers could undermine the broader goal of digitizing voter registration, limiting both transparency and efficiency in future electoral cycles.