Archive · 2 Oct 2026
Karnataka CEO Orders Inquiry Into False Bulk Form-7 Filings
Karnataka is checking and updating its voter list.
Form 7 lets someone ask officials to remove a name or object to a name being included.
Officials heard that many Form 7 applications were filed together.
Some people alleged that these applications were not real or were used to remove eligible voters.
Chief Electoral Officer V. Anbukumar told election officers to examine the applications.
Officials may take legal action if someone knowingly made a false statement.
They must first conduct an inquiry under the rules.
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar blamed alleged Bharatiya Janata Party leaders, while opposition leader R. Ashoka accused Congress leaders of putting pressure on election officials.
Karnataka CEO V. Anbukumar directed EROs to investigate knowingly false declarations in Forms 6, 6A, 7 and 8.
The directive followed reports and allegations that bulk Form 7 applications seeking voter-name deletions were not genuine.
Action under Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act must follow an inquiry under Rule 20.
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Cabinet members protested in Bengaluru, seeking a criminal case and probe into alleged voter deletions.
Opposition leader R. Ashoka accused Congress leaders of pressuring election officials, while Shivakumar alleged Bharatiya Janata Party leaders misused Form 7.
- Who
- Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer V. Anbukumar, Electoral Registration Officers, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Opposition Leader R. Ashoka, and officials of the Election Commission are involved.
- What
- The CEO directed EROs to investigate suspected false declarations and take action where violations are established.
- When
- The directive was issued on Thursday during Karnataka’s ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
- Where
- The issue concerns Karnataka, and the protest and memorandum were submitted at the Chief Electoral Officer’s office in Bengaluru.
- Why
- The directive followed reports and allegations of bulk, possibly non-genuine Form 7 applications seeking deletion of names from electoral rolls.
Government and Congress Allegations
Opposition and Election-Process Objections
Alleged voter deletions
Government and Congress Allegations
D.K. Shivakumar alleged that Bharatiya Janata Party leaders misused pre-printed or forged Form 7 applications to delete selected eligible voters during the revision.
Opposition and Election-Process Objections
R. Ashoka questioned the Chief Minister’s authority to direct the Election Commission and said complaints should be pursued through proper legal channels, including the courts.
Political pressure on officials
Government and Congress Allegations
Shivakumar and his delegation demanded an immediate, impartial and time-bound probe, including a criminal case into the alleged misuse of Form 7.
Opposition and Election-Process Objections
Ashoka accused Congress leaders of applying political pressure to election officials and argued that the Election Commission should follow prescribed procedures.
Electoral-roll process
Government and Congress Allegations
The Congress-led government said the alleged bulk filings required urgent scrutiny to protect eligible voters.
Opposition and Election-Process Objections
The Election Commission maintained that electoral-roll revision follows the prescribed legal process, including inquiry before action.
- Chief Electoral Officer
- V. Anbukumar issued the directive to EROs across Karnataka.
- Affected forms
- The direction covers Forms 6, 6A, 7 and 8.
- Form 7 purpose
- Form 7 is used to object to a proposed inclusion or seek deletion of a name from an electoral roll.
- Legal provision
- Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, applies to knowingly false written declarations.
- Required procedure
- Any action must be preceded by an inquiry under Rule 20 of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.
- Political protest
- D.K. Shivakumar, Cabinet members and legislators staged a sit-in and sought a criminal case and investigation.
- Electoral coverage
- The communication was sent to EROs for all 224 Assembly constituencies.
