Karnataka’s ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has come under fresh scrutiny after more than 4,000 Form-7 applications seeking deletion of voter names were reported across several Assembly constituencies.
The applications have been concentrated in both Congress- and BJP-represented constituencies, with a large proportion of the targeted voters reportedly belonging to the Muslim community. However, the applications are objections seeking deletion and do not by themselves mean that the names have already been removed from the electoral rolls. Election officials are required to examine the claims before taking action.
Large Number of Objections in Babaleshwar
One of the biggest clusters was reported from Babaleshwar in Vijayapura district, where 1,373 Form-7 applications were received on September 22.
According to the reported data, 1,363 of these applications were submitted by only 10 people. Many of the objections reportedly sought deletion of Muslim voters who were registered outside the applicants’ own polling stations.
The constituency is represented by Congress minister M.B. Patil.
Bhalki Also Sees Bulk Applications
A similar pattern has been reported in Bhalki constituency in Bidar district, represented by Congress minister Eshwar Khandre.
Reports indicate that more than 1,700 voter names were targeted through applications submitted by a relatively small group of people. Additional Form-7 objections were also reported after September 23.
The applications have raised questions about the concentration of objections and the reasons given for seeking deletion, including claims that voters were absent or had permanently shifted.
Objections Reported in BJP Constituencies Too
The issue is not limited to constituencies represented by Congress legislators.
Bulk Form-7 applications have also been reported from BJP-held seats, including Basavakalyan and Belthangady. In Basavakalyan, one individual reportedly filed most of the applications received on a particular day, while objections in Belthangady also targeted voters from a particular polling station.
The reported cases indicate that the issue cuts across constituencies represented by both major political parties.
Questions Over the Filing Process
Some of the applications have also prompted questions about how they were prepared.
Reports examining forms from Bhalki found instances where voter details appeared to have already been printed, while the information concerning the objector was handwritten. Such discrepancies have added to calls for closer verification of the applications.
Election officials, however, have said the objections will be scrutinised before any eligible voter is removed from the electoral roll. Officials have also warned that people submitting false or unsupported objections could face action under applicable rules.
SIR Data Already Facing Scrutiny
The latest controversy comes amid broader questions about data from Karnataka’s SIR exercise.
Earlier reports identified differences in the number of Form-7 applications recorded in different sets of election data. One report found a gap of roughly 6,000 between figures published for the draft electoral roll and subsequently shared data from the Chief Electoral Officer’s office. Officials said the discrepancy would need to be examined.
What Happens Next?
The Form-7 applications will now be subject to scrutiny by election authorities. The central issue will be whether the reasons cited in individual applications are supported by verification and whether voters whose names are challenged remain eligible to be on the electoral roll.
The developments have added another layer to the debate surrounding Karnataka’s SIR exercise, with political parties and civil society groups closely watching how bulk objections are handled and whether safeguards are sufficient to protect eligible voters.
For now, the reported applications represent requests for deletion, not confirmed deletions. The outcome of the verification process will determine whether any names are ultim