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Karnataka May Form SIT to Probe Bulk Voter Deletion Applications
Karnataka officials received many forms asking them to remove voters from draft election lists.
The state has registered nine police cases about claims that some forms were fake or filed as part of a coordinated effort.
The Congress government is considering creating a special team to investigate whether the cases are connected.
D K Shivakumar says BJP workers were given forms to target voters, but this is an allegation.
The BJP and JD(S) say the government is using the police to pressure people who filed objections.
Karnataka’s chief election officer says filing a form does not automatically remove anyone from the list.
Officials must check the details before taking action.
No voter has been deleted based on the applications reported in this article.
Karnataka’s Congress government is considering an SIT to investigate nine FIRs concerning alleged bulk filing of Form 7 voter-deletion applications.
The cases were registered in nine districts after the Election Commission directed electoral registration officers to report suspected fake applications.
Chief Electoral Officer V Anbukumar said 91,278 Form 7 applications had been received by September 24, and no voter had yet been deleted on their basis.
Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar alleges the BJP coordinated applications to remove voters; the BJP and JD(S) accuse the government of using police to intimidate applicants.
The government is comparing the allegations with an Aland voter-deletion case already under investigation by a CID SIT; a former BJP MLA and associates were chargesheeted in that case.
- Who
- Karnataka’s Congress government, police, election officials, and the BJP and JD(S) are involved in the dispute.
- What
- The government is considering an SIT to investigate nine FIRs over alleged bulk filing of Form 7 applications seeking voter deletions.
- Where
- Karnataka, with FIRs registered in Ballari, Bengaluru, Bidar, Belagavi, Chikamagaluru, Dakshina Kannada, Mysuru, Vijayapura, and Udupi districts.
- When
- The cases and consultations have taken place recently; 91,278 applications had been received by September 24, the end of the claims and objections period.
- Why
- Authorities are examining whether suspected fake applications in multiple districts are linked; Congress alleges an effort to manipulate voter rolls, while the BJP and JD(S) deny wrongdoing and say bulk objections are permitted.
Congress and government allegations
BJP and JD(S) response
Purpose of the applications
Congress and government allegations
D K Shivakumar and other Congress leaders allege that BJP workers were supplied pre-printed forms as part of an effort to delete genuine voters and manipulate electoral rolls.
BJP and JD(S) response
The BJP and JD(S) say there is no legal bar on submitting Form 7 applications in bulk and deny that filing them is itself illegal.
Police cases
Congress and government allegations
The government is considering an SIT because officials are assessing whether the cases across districts are connected; sources say preliminary findings in some cases point to automated generation of applications.
BJP and JD(S) response
The BJP and JD(S) accuse the Congress government of misusing state police to intimidate people who filed objections and have sought protection for applicants.
Key facts
- FIRs registered
- Nine, across nine Karnataka districts
- Form 7 applications received
- 91,278 by September 24
- Voters deleted through these applications
- None, according to the Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer
- Potential investigation
- The Karnataka government is considering a Special Investigation Team
- Election Commission direction
- Electoral registration officers were directed to file complaints when they found fake applications seeking bulk deletions
- Aland case
- A separate case involving alleged attempts to delete 5,994 voters is under investigation by a CID SIT
- Political dispute
- Congress alleges coordinated voter manipulation; BJP and JD(S) allege police intimidation and say there is no bar on bulk Form 7 applications
Quotes
D K Shivakumar
Karnataka Chief Minister
“They have indulged in a conspiracy to delete votes. They have printed Form 7 applications in bulk and complaints have been filed. The BJP workers have to say who told them to file the applications and who gave them the forms. This will need an investigation. It is a big criminal conspiracy in the history of India.”
indianexpress.com
“The ERO will take action after enquiry. Action will be taken as per law. ERO has to take action at his level.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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