Karnataka CEO: No Voter Deleted Solely Due to Bulk Form 7 Submissions
Karnataka CEO V Anbu Kumar clarifies that no voter was removed from the rolls solely due to bulk Form 7 submissions during the revision process.
Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) V Anbu Kumar has addressed concerns regarding the recent electoral roll revision, categorically stating that no voter was removed from the draft rolls based exclusively on the bulk submission of Form 7. The CEO emphasized that every single deletion was executed only after a rigorous and due verification process.
Verification Over Bulk Requests
The clarification comes amid discussions surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. While Form 7 is used for the objection and deletion of names from the electoral roll, Kumar stressed that the administration did not blindly follow bulk requests. He assured that the integrity of the rolls was maintained through a systematic verification check for every individual whose name was removed.
Speaking to reporters, Kumar expressed his gratitude toward the various stakeholders who facilitated the process, including political parties, their representatives, and booth agents. He also praised the cooperation of the citizens of Karnataka, noting that voters actively responded to notices and accurately filled out enumeration forms.
The Numbers: A Significant Decline
The publication of the final electoral roll has revealed a substantial decrease in the state's total electorate. Before the Special Intensive Revision exercise, the electorate stood at 5.54 crore. Following the process, the final count has dropped to approximately 4.55 crore, representing a decline of about 17.92 per cent.
Earlier, when the draft electoral roll was published on August 24, it recorded 4.46 crore general electors, which already indicated a reduction of 1.08 crore from the initial pre-revision figures.
Breakdown of the Final Electoral Roll
According to the data provided by the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, the current final roll of 4,55,11,000 voters is distributed as follows:
- Male Electors: 2.26 crore
- Female Electors: 2.29 crore
- Third-Gender Electors: 2,841
Age-Specific Demographics
The revised rolls also highlight specific age groups within the Karnataka electorate:
- Young Voters: There are 6.83 lakh electors in the 18-19 age bracket.
- Senior Citizens: The roll includes 3.92 lakh electors who are aged 85 years and above.
"The issue was only Form 7, and not even a single voter name has been deleted from the draft roll, only because of submission of Form 7 in bulk. Every deletion happened after due verification," stated CEO V Anbu Kumar.