Archive · 6 Oct 2026
NDA Leaders Allege Karnataka Government Interference in SIR Process
BJP and JD(S) leaders say the voter-list checking process in Karnataka is being interfered with.
They claim police cases are being used to frighten people who object to names on the voter list using Form-7.
The leaders say people are allowed to submit these objections, even in large numbers.
Election officers are supposed to check the objections and hear from the people involved.
The delegation named places where it said police cases had been filed.
It first raised the issue with Karnataka’s Chief Electoral Officer and then asked the Governor to intervene.
The reports describe these as the delegation’s allegations and do not include a response from the state government.
BJP and JD(S) leaders accused Karnataka’s Congress government of influencing the electoral-roll Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
The delegation alleged that police cases were being used to intimidate people, particularly BJP supporters, who filed Form-7 objections.
On October 5, the leaders met Chief Electoral Officer V Anbukkumar; on October 6, they sought Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot’s intervention.
The delegation said Form-7 objections, including bulk submissions, are permitted under election rules and should be scrutinised by electoral officers.
It cited reported FIRs in five locations and questioned the use of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita offences; the reports contain no response from the state government.
- Who
- A delegation of BJP and JD(S) leaders, including H D Kumaraswamy, R Ashoka and Chalavadi Narayanaswamy.
- What
- The delegation accused the Karnataka government of influencing the SIR and using police cases to intimidate Form-7 objectors; it sought intervention from the Chief Electoral Officer and Governor.
- When
- The delegation met the Chief Electoral Officer on October 5 and the Governor on October 6.
- Where
- Karnataka; the meetings were held in Bengaluru, including at Lok Bhavan.
- Why
- The delegation said it wanted to protect people filing objections and ensure the electoral-roll revision proceeds independently.
NDA delegation
Karnataka government
Alleged interference and police cases
NDA delegation
The delegation alleged that the ruling Congress and state police were influencing the SIR and intimidating Form-7 objectors through criminal cases.
Karnataka government
The reports do not provide the Karnataka government’s response to these allegations.
Form-7 objections and bulk submissions
NDA delegation
The delegation said Form-7 objections, including bulk submissions, are a statutory right and should be examined by electoral officers.
Karnataka government
The reports do not state the government’s position on the delegation’s interpretation of the rules.
- Process
- Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls
- Form-7
- A form for objecting to the proposed inclusion or deletion of a name from an electoral roll
- Delegation
- BJP and JD(S) leaders, including H D Kumaraswamy, R Ashoka and Chalavadi Narayanaswamy
- Officials approached
- Chief Electoral Officer V Anbukkumar and Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot
- Locations cited for reported FIRs
- Bhalki, Market Area in Belagavi, Vyalikaval in Bengaluru, Ballari and Narasimharaja in Mysuru
- Rules cited
- Registration of Electors Rules, 1960; Election Commission communication dated January 16, 2026; Manual on Electoral Rolls, 2023
- State response
- The reports do not include a response from the Karnataka government to the allegations.
