Karnataka: CEO orders action against false Form 7 filings after Congress protest
Following Congress protests over mass voter deletion, Karnataka CEO directs strict legal action against fraudulent Form 7 applications.
Following a high-stakes political standoff and intense protests led by the state's top leadership, the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) in Karnataka has ordered immediate legal action against individuals submitting fraudulent voter deletion requests.
Crackdown on Fraudulent Voter Deletion Requests
In a decisive circular issued by Chief Electoral Officer V Anbukkumar, strict instructions have been sent to District Election Officers, Deputy Commissioners, and Electoral Registration Officers across all 224 Assembly Constituencies. The directive aims to curb the alleged misuse of Form 7, which is used to request the removal of names from the electoral rolls.
The CEO's office noted reports of bulk applications being filed that appear to be non-genuine. Under the new orders, Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) are mandated to conduct inquiries under Rule 20 of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960. If an applicant is found to have made a knowingly false statement or declaration in Forms 6, 6A, 7, or 8, they will face legal consequences under Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
The Spark: "Vote Chori" Allegations
The administrative crackdown follows a massive demonstration led by Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. The Chief Minister, accompanied by six cabinet ministers, staged a dharna in front of the CEO's office, demanding the registration of FIRs and criminal investigations into what he described as a massive conspiracy to manipulate the electoral rolls.
Addressing the media after the protest, Shivakumar launched a scathing attack on the opposition, accusing the BJP and JD(S) of engaging in "vote chori" (vote theft). He alleged that these parties are attempting to "backstab democracy" by targeting specific demographics.
"This type of criminal activity and a big conspiracy is coming from the Janata Dal and BJP. They are not ordinary people; they are trying to steal the voters. In constituency after constituency—especially where we won by huge margins—they are trying to delete 10,000 to 20,000 votes," the Chief Minister stated.
Massive Discrepancies Reported in Bhalki
The controversy gained momentum following specific allegations from Rural Development Minister Eshwar Khandre. He highlighted a shocking incident in the Bhalki constituency, where it was reported that:
- A single individual filed 241 pre-printed Form 7 forms in one day.
- A total of 3,244 voters were targeted for deletion in a single day.
- The applicants were allegedly mostly workers from the opposition party.
The Congress party has further alleged that these mass deletion attempts are specifically targeting vulnerable groups, including poor communities, minorities, Dalits, and backward classes, to alter the political landscape of the state.
Political Backlash
While the Congress leadership demands arrests and immediate criminal proceedings, the move has not gone unchallenged. Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy and other opposition leaders have criticised the protest and the allegations, framing the government's reaction as politically motivated.
As the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process continues, the eyes of the state remain on the Election Commission's ability to ensure that the sanctity of the voter list is maintained and that fraudulent attempts to manipulate the rolls are met with the full force of the law.