Archive · 2 Oct 2026
Karnataka Shivakumar stages dharna demanding probe into alleged voter deletion
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar protested at an election official’s office.
He said some people may have tried to remove eligible voters from lists.
The alleged removals involved Form 7 applications.
He asked officials to register a criminal case and investigate seriously.
Shivakumar said thousands of applications were filed and later withdrawn in parts of Ballari and Vijayapura.
He blamed the Bharatiya Janata Party and Janata Dal for an alleged conspiracy.
The Election Commission asked local officials for reports about the claims.
Shivakumar said the protest would continue until action was taken.
D.K. Shivakumar protested at the Chief Electoral Officer’s office in Bengaluru over alleged voter deletions.
He demanded a criminal case and a serious investigation into Form 7 applications.
Shivakumar claimed about 13,000 applications each were submitted and withdrawn in parts of Ballari and Vijayapura.
He alleged BJP and Janata Dal involvement, voter-data access, and a plan to delete thousands of votes.
The Election Commission sought reports from Deputy Commissioners, while Shivakumar said the protest would continue until action was taken.
- Who
- Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Cabinet colleagues, legislators, and election officials.
- What
- A dharna demanding a criminal case and investigation into alleged voter-name deletions through Form 7 applications.
- When
- Thursday; officials reportedly sought time until Friday.
- Where
- The Chief Electoral Officer’s office in Gandhinagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka.
- Why
- Shivakumar alleged that eligible voters’ names were targeted and that their voting rights were being threatened.
- Protest leader
- D.K. Shivakumar, Karnataka Chief Minister
- Location
- Chief Electoral Officer’s office, Gandhinagar, Bengaluru
- Main demand
- Registration of a criminal case and a serious investigation
- Application type
- Form 7 applications
- Ballari claim
- About 13,000 applications were allegedly submitted in two Assembly constituencies and later withdrawn
- Vijayapura claim
- About 13,000 applications were allegedly submitted, excluding Babaleshwar, and later withdrawn
- Election Commission response
- Reports were sought from the respective Deputy Commissioners