Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], October 1 (ANI): Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday alleged that an attempt was being made to delete voters' names through the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, claiming that Form 7 applications were being submitted "in bulk" to target voters from "minority, backward-class, Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities".
"It is very unfortunate to speak to you about the right to vote and the right to live. The entire country is shaking over this SIR issue. A big gang, some BJP leaders, is trying to delete your names through this SIR process," Shivakumar said in a video address.
"Form 7 has been used. Already, more than 50 lakh voters have disappeared from this list, and many of them have to file their objections," he alleged.
Shivakumar further alleged that Form 7 was being submitted in bulk to target voters, particularly those belonging to minority, backward-class, Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities.
"Form 7 was being submitted in bulk to target voters, particularly from minority, backward-class, Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities," he said.
The Chief Minister said he had sought information from various authorities to examine the issue.
"I have sought data from police authorities, deputy commissioners, and the state election officer," Shivakumar said.
His remarks come amid controversy over Form 7 applications during Karnataka's SIR exercise. Form 7 is used to request deletion of a voter's name from the electoral roll in cases such as death, permanent shifting of residence, duplicate registration or ineligibility.
Under the SIR process, voters can file claims and objections regarding entries in the electoral rolls. The Election Commission's process includes verification and hearings before the final electoral roll is prepared.
Shivakumar has previously raised concerns over the conduct of the SIR exercise and called for measures to ensure that genuine voters are not excluded from the electoral rolls.
Earlier on Wednesday, INDIA bloc leaders held a coordination meeting in New Delhi and announced a series of protests against the EC. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said Opposition parties would organise a nationwide “Save Democracy March” at the district level from October 2 to October 8.
Opposition MPs are also scheduled to march to the Election Commission on October 6, while INDIA bloc leaders are expected to meet President Droupadi Murmu in the second week of October to raise their concerns.
Gandhi, addressing the meeting, said INDIA bloc leaders were committed to ensuring accountability over what they allege are threats to democratic institutions.
“It is the personal commitment of all INDIA leaders that we are going to ensure that the people who have destroyed Indian democracy are punished. It doesn't matter how senior they are, who they are; Indian democracy is bigger than every single person in this country,” he said. (ANI)
"Some BJP leaders trying to delete names through SIR process," alleges DK Shivakumar
