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Karnataka CEO orders legal action over false Form 7 claims amid SIR row
Karnataka CEO initiates legal action against false Form 7 claims during SIR. Congress alleges voter deletion conspiracy. BJP denies involvement.
At a glance
Why it matters
The legal action against false Form 7 claims during SIR highlights concerns over voter deletion and potential electoral fraud, impacting democratic processes and voter rights in Karnataka.
Key facts
- Karnataka CEO orders legal action against false Form 7 claims during SIR.
- Congress alleges BJP and JD(S) orchestrated voter deletion through bulk Form 7 applications.
- Police registered complaints in Mysuru, Belagavi North, and Bhalki over forged signatures and fabricated details.
- BJP denies involvement, stating it is bringing irregularities to the Election Commission’s attention.
- SIR exercise began on June 30, 24 years after the last SIR in 2002.
What happens next
Election Commission’s inquiry under Rule 20 of the Registration of Electors Rules will proceed, with police investigations ongoing into the FIRs filed in connection with the fraudulent submissions.
Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer V Anbukkumar ordered legal action against individuals who submitted false Form 7 applications during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The directive followed allegations that bulk applications were submitted with false details, potentially leading to the deletion of eligible voters.
Congress leader D K Shivakumar led a protest at the CEO’s office, accusing the BJP and JD(S) of orchestrating a conspiracy to delete 50-60 lakh voters. He cited specific constituencies where large numbers of Form 7 applications were submitted and later withdrawn, suggesting they were not genuine. Shivakumar also alleged that minorities, Dalits, and tribal communities were targeted in the process.
The CEO’s circular instructed election officials to investigate whether claims or objections in Forms 6, 6A, 7, and 8 were knowingly false before taking legal action. The directive does not link the alleged bulk applications to any political party, emphasizing an inquiry-based approach. Police have registered complaints in several constituencies, including Mysuru’s Narasimharaja and Bhalki, where forged signatures and fabricated details were alleged.
The BJP denied the allegations, with Karnataka BJP president B Y Vijayendra stating that Muslim voters were being gathered at mosques and marriage halls during the SIR process. He argued that BJP workers were bringing alleged irregularities to the Election Commission’s attention, asserting that the Commission would verify and retain legitimate names while removing illegal ones.
The SIR exercise in Karnataka began on June 30, 24 years after the last SIR in 2002. Notices for verification have been served to 43 lakh voters in the draft roll. The Congress alleges that 1.07 crore voters were deleted during the enumeration phase, with additional deletions sought through Form 7 applications. The next step involves the Election Commission’s inquiry under Rule 20 of the Registration of Electors Rules, with police investigations ongoing into the FIRs filed in connection with the fraudulent submissions.