Karnataka Form 7 row escalates, EC orders action over fake voter deletion claims

The Election Commission ordered strict action and verification after complaints of false Form 7 filings in Karnataka. The move followed DK Shivakumar's protest alleging a bid to wrongly delete eligible voters.

In Short

• EC orders strict action against false objections in Karnataka's voter roll revision
• CM Shivakumar protests alleging mass deletion of 4.5 million voters via Form 7
• CEO directs thorough probe and legal action on fake forms, safeguards genuine voters

The Election Commission (EC) has ordered strict action against those submitting false objections through Form 7 to seek the mass deletion of voters' names during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Karnataka.

The action comes after Chief Minister DK Shivakumar's protest outside the office of CEO V Anbukkumar on Thursday, where he demanded an FIR over what he described as "electoral fraud" during the SIR exercise.

In the order, Anbukkumar has directed District Electoral Officers to thoroughly investigate complaints of fake forms before initiating legal action, while ensuring that the names of genuine voters are not deleted.

The EC has also directed all Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) to take strict legal action against anyone who knowingly submits false statements or makes false objections through Forms 6, 6A, 7 and 8 related to voter registration.

The move comes amid allegations of large-scale filing of Form 7 applications seeking deletion of voters' names during the SIR exercise.

Form 7 is used to file an objection to the proposed inclusion or deletion of a name from an existing electoral roll.

According to the Commission, officials in Vijayanagar, Vijayapura, Chikmagalur's Mudigere, Belagavi and Bidar — areas that have received an unusually high number of deletion applications — have been asked to remain particularly vigilant and personally verify each claim.

The poll body has clarified that objections submitted without valid grounds will be rejected and those found guilty will face punitive legal action.

SHIVAKUMAR PROTESTS

The Chief Minister staged a five-hour sit-in after holding a meeting with the CEO for around two-and-a-half hours. He was joined by his Cabinet colleagues, Congress MLAs and state party president BK Hariprasad.

Shivakumar had also put a Cabinet meeting on hold to stage the demonstration.

He only ended the protest after the CEO directed election officials to initiate action against applicants found to have knowingly made false statements or declarations in electoral forms. He also highlighted the Election Commission's assurance of action over Form 7.

The Chief Minister had claimed that pre-printed Form 7 applications were being submitted in bulk as part of a conspiracy to remove the names of around 4.5 million eligible voters, including minorities, Dalits and tribals, from Karnataka's electoral rolls.

In his memorandum to the CEO, Shivakumar sought an immediate, impartial and time-bound probe into the bulk filing of Form 7 applications.

He said he had been informed that a large number of Form 7 objections were filed in bulk, particularly on September 22, 23 and 24, towards the end of the claims and objections period.

Shivakumar raised concerns over whether eligible voters belonging to minority communities, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes were being selectively targeted.

He further flagged instances where the names, EPIC numbers and other particulars of voters proposed for deletion allegedly appeared to have been pre-printed on Form 7 applications, with the objectors' details filled in later.

The Chief Minister sought a constituency-wise and booth-wise examination of Form 7 filings, identification of people who submitted unusually large numbers of applications, their relationship with the voters concerned, and the source of the voter and EPIC details used in the pre-printed forms.

Shivakumar sought an investigation into the possible involvement, direction or knowledge of political functionaries and urged the Election Commission to establish responsibility based on evidence.

He also asked the CEO to investigate the alleged involvement of political workers and register FIRs wherever offences were established.

The Chief Minister said it was his duty to protect the rights of every eligible voter and ensure that the revision process remained free, fair, transparent and legally compliant.

- Ends
(With PTI inputs)