3 days ago
BJD Alleges Form-7 Misuse Targeting Minority Voters in Odisha
The BJD says some people may be using Form-7 to wrongly challenge voters’ names.
It is especially concerned about minority voters in Odisha.
Form-7 is used to object to adding or removing names from voter lists.
The party says genuine voters should not lose their names by mistake.
It wants election officials to carefully check every objection.
It also says voters must receive notice before their names are removed.
The BJD asked for extra checking in areas with many minority residents.
It said wrongly deleted names should be restored quickly.
The BJD alleged that Form-7 applications were being misused to target genuine minority voters during Odisha’s ongoing SIR exercise.
The party said it received complaints involving Muslims, Christians, Buddhists and other eligible citizens.
It urged the Odisha Chief Electoral Officer to ensure transparent and impartial verification of electoral records.
The BJD said deletion proposals processed after August 19 must follow legal procedures, including notice and an opportunity to respond.
It sought special, constituency-wise and booth-wise scrutiny of Form-7 applications in areas with substantial minority populations.
- Who
- The Biju Janata Dal’s State Minority Cell and Odisha election officials.
- What
- The BJD alleged misuse of Form-7 applications and urged safeguards against wrongful voter deletions.
- Where
- Odisha, including constituencies and polling booths in areas with substantial minority populations.
- When
- The statement was issued on September 2; the SIR claims and objections period ended on August 19.
- Why
- The BJD said the measures were needed to protect genuine electors and ensure transparent, impartial and legally compliant verification.
Key facts
- Organization
- Biju Janata Dal (BJD) State Minority Cell
- Issue
- Alleged misuse of Form-7 applications
- Affected groups cited
- Muslims, Christians, Buddhists and other eligible citizens
- Electoral process
- SIR-2026
- Claims and objections deadline
- August 19
- Requested safeguards
- Notice to affected electors, an opportunity to respond, and special scrutiny of deletion proposals
- Requested verification
- Constituency-wise and booth-wise checks in areas with substantial minority populations
Quotes
Biju Janata Dal
Opposition political party in Odisha
“We have urged the Chief Electoral Officer to take immediate and strict action regarding the alleged misuse of Form-7 to delete the names of genuine and eligible electors during the ongoing SIR.”
theprint.in
“Wherever it is established that the name of a genuine elector has been wrongly deleted, immediate corrective action should be taken.”
theprint.in
Sources
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