4 hrs ago
Karnataka CEO Directs Legal Action Over Bulk Voter Deletion Claims
Karnataka is checking its voter lists in a process called the Special Intensive Revision.
Some people filed many Form 7 applications asking officials to remove voters’ names.
Congress said these applications were improper and targeted eligible voters, including people from minority communities.
Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and other Congress lawmakers protested about the issue.
The state’s chief electoral officer said officials would investigate and take legal action if the applications were not genuine.
Officials were told to approve deletions only for deaths or duplicate voter records.
The BJP said it was proper to ask officials to check voters suspected of being ineligible.
Police also registered five cases about the alleged irregularities.
Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer V Anbu Kumar ordered legal action against anyone found filing bulk Form 7 applications to remove voters.
The decision followed a protest by Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and Congress legislators outside the CEO’s office.
The Hindu reported that 4,000 deletion applications had been filed, with a majority targeting Muslims.
In Babaleshwar, 1,363 of 1,373 applications were filed by 10 people, while more than 1,700 deletions were sought in Bhalki by 30 people.
The BJP rejected Congress’s allegations, while police registered five first information reports over the alleged irregularities.
- Who
- Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer V Anbu Kumar, Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, Congress legislators, the BJP, and election officials.
- What
- The CEO directed legal action and investigations into alleged bulk and possibly non-genuine Form 7 applications seeking voter deletions.
- Where
- Karnataka, including Babaleshwar in Vijayapura district and Bhalki in Bidar district.
- When
- The announcement was made on Thursday during the ongoing SIR, which began in June 2025; the reported applications were filed on September 22 and 23.
- Why
- Congress alleged that mass applications were being used to remove eligible voters, while the BJP said officials should verify voters suspected of being ineligible.
Congress’s allegations
BJP’s response
Purpose of the deletion applications
Congress’s allegations
Congress alleged that large numbers of Form 7 applications were being used to remove eligible voters and target minority communities, backward classes, Dalits, and economically weaker sections.
BJP’s response
The BJP rejected the allegations and said there was nothing wrong with asking the Election Commission to verify voters suspected of being ineligible.
Who was targeted
Congress’s allegations
Congress alleged that Opposition BJP and Janata Dal (Secular) workers were involved and that Muslims and other vulnerable communities were targeted.
BJP’s response
BJP Karnataka president BY Vijayendra said the party had flagged suspected illegal Bangladeshi immigrants and that valid voters would remain on the rolls.
Election authorities’ response
Congress’s allegations
Congress said the Election Commission of India had failed to act promptly on complaints about fraudulent applications.
BJP’s response
The Karnataka CEO ordered investigations and legal action against anyone found filing bulk applications, while officials were told to require death certificates or second voter ID numbers for certain deletions.
Key facts
- State
- Karnataka
- Electoral process
- Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls
- Form 7 purpose
- To object to the proposed inclusion or deletion of a name from an existing electoral roll
- CEO response
- Legal action will be initiated against people found filing bulk applications; officials were directed to investigate claims that applications were not genuine.
- Babaleshwar data
- 1,373 applications were received on September 22, with 1,363 filed by 10 people.
- Bhalki data
- More than 1,700 deletions were sought by 30 people on September 23.
- Police action
- Five first information reports were registered over the alleged irregularities.
Quotes
Election Commission
India’s electoral management body
“In the beginning, Muslim voters were pooled together in masjids and kalyana mantaps, officers also called to the spot, and voters were added to the list. There is a suspicion that illegal Bangladeshi immigrants have made it to the voter list in some constituencies. We have flagged them.”
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“Differing views and observations are a normal part of deliberation in any institution. They are a part of the decision-making process before a final decision is taken.”
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Sources
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