Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has alleged that there is a systematic effort to eliminate numerous names from the electoral rolls through excessive filings of Form 7 during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the Electoral Rolls in the state. He described this situation as a significant fraud, accusing leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal of targeting eligible voters unjustly. Shivakumar emphasised that this matter necessitates an immediate investigation.

Shivakumar highlighted that minorities, backward classes, Dalits, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes appear to be the primary targets of this alleged scheme. He asserted that it would not be feasible for such unlawful removal of voters’ names to happen without the knowledge of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, and he demanded that criminal proceedings be initiated against those implicated.

Details of Allegations and Reports

In a press conference, Shivakumar stated that an estimated “more than 45 lakh” voters are facing discrepancies in their voter registrations. He claimed that pre-printed Form 7 applications containing personal information such as names, addresses, and Election Photo Identity Card (EPIC) numbers were submitted in bulk across several constituencies, including Vijayapura, Bhalki, Belagavi, Mysuru, Mudigere, and Bengaluru.

The Chief Minister alleged that more than 70 per cent of polling booths had suspicious filings by leaders of the BJP. Shivakumar provided specific figures, noting instances where individuals submitted dozens or even hundreds of applications. He highlighted filings on September 22, 23, and 24, questioning how such detailed voter information could have been accessed by those submitting the forms. He raised concerns regarding the sources of this information, urging clarity on who orchestrated these actions.

In Vijayapura district, he indicated over 14,000 applications were completed in the city alone. He referred to instances in which six individuals in Babaleshwar submitted 1,634 applications that were later retracted following official warnings about potential legal repercussions. Furthermore, Shivakumar mentioned that around 13,000 applications had been submitted in the Vijayapura City Assembly constituency over a short period.

Responses from Other Officials and Next Steps

The allegations were echoed by Minister Eshwar Khandre, who reported that 3,244 Form 7 applications were filed in a single day by 36 individuals identified as BJP workers in Bhalki. One individual reportedly submitted 241 applications. Voters listed in these forms later approached local police, alleging the use of false information and forgery in attempts to erase their names from the rolls.

Shivakumar also brought up similar accounts from Belagavi, asserting that individuals associated with the BJP admitted to initiating these fraudulent applications. He named BJP’s former candidate Dr Ravi Patil, who allegedly conceded that “we made a mistake.” He cited cases where individuals denied filing applications that included their names and contact numbers.

Shivakumar announced that First Information Reports (FIRs) had been lodged in various regions, including Belagavi, Bhalki, and Mysuru, concerning the alleged attempts to unlawfully remove names from the electoral rolls. He urged the Election Commission to initiate a criminal investigation and take action, asserting that it is their responsibility to address these electoral offences.

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