In Karnataka, concerns arise during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls after thousands of bulk Form-7 applications are filed seeking deletion of voters’ names, with allegations that many targeted voters are Muslims and some are from Dalit communities. Multiple outlets report that the submissions include forms that appear pre-filled and are submitted in large numbers across assembly constituencies.
According to The Hindu, five FIRs are registered across the state related to the bulk submission of Form-7 applications. In Babaleshwar, 1,373 Form-7 applications are reported received on September 22, with 1,363 filed by a small group of people. Scroll.in reports finding cases where Form-7s are already filled and printed with names of voters whose deletion is being sought. The Hindu also reports allegations attributed to party spokespersons that the applications come from party functionaries and party office directions.
Some accounts also mention developments in specific constituencies. Free Press Journal reports that BJP leader H.K. Dinesh withdraws objections seeking deletion of 243 voters in Koppa taluk and says the objections were based on information initially seen as “suspicious,” but later re-verified as within polling-station jurisdiction. Across Karnataka, outlets also cite further FIRs alleging other irregularities connected to SIR and Form-7 use.
