Bhatkal: In connection with the 2026 elections for the Legislative Council’s Western Graduates Constituency, Sirsi taluk has recorded the highest number of graduate voter registrations in Uttara Kannada district, while Joida has registered the lowest.
According to official data, 2,454 graduates enrolled in Sirsi taluk, whereas only 256 registrations were recorded in Joida. It was widely expected that Bhatkal would top the list due to its strong academic reputation, but contrary to expectations, only 1,016 graduates registered as voters.
Encouragingly, the district has seen a notable increase in the number of graduate voters compared to the previous registration period (2019–20). This year, 5,658 more graduates became eligible to vote, with a total of 14,750 registrations completed by the final deadline of November 6, 2025, compared to 9,092 in 2019–20. The sharp rise reflects a higher level of awareness and enthusiasm among educated citizens across the district.
The taluk-wise registration figures are as follows: Sirsi (2,454), Kumta (2,052), Karwar (1,703), Ankola (1,510), Siddapur (1,254), Honnavar (1,175), Bhatkal (1,016), Yellapur (952), Mundgod (874), Haliyal (806), Dandeli (698), and Joida (256).
To qualify for registration in the Western Graduates Constituency, applicants must have completed graduation from any recognized Indian university at least three years prior to November 1, 2025, or possess an equivalent qualification. Eligible graduates were required to submit Form-18 along with an attested copy of their degree certificate and proof of residence by November 6, 2025. Registration centers were set up at the Deputy Commissioner’s office and all taluk-level tahsildar offices.
In Bhatkal, a special two-day registration drive was also conducted by the local social organisation Majlis-e-Islah-o-Tanzeem at Tanzeem Hall to assist graduates with the enrollment process.
It is said that initially, the response from graduates across the district was sluggish, resulting in a slow pace of registration. However, tahsildars later took personal initiative, reaching out to graduate officers, government employees, and other eligible individuals to emphasize the importance of voter registration. Their efforts helped accelerate the process during the final days.
The Western Graduates Constituency comprises the districts of Dharwad, Haveri, Gadag, and Uttara Kannada. The term of the current member ends on November 11, 2026, after which the seat will be filled through the upcoming biennial election.
The Election Commission of India has announced that the provisional voter list for the constituency will be published on November 25, 2025. Objections and corrections will be accepted until December 10, and the final voter list will be released on December 30, 2025.