Karnataka CEO Asks EROs To Act Against Bulk Form-7 Filings
Karnataka CEO V. Anbukumar directed EROs to act against knowingly false Form-7 applications after complaints over bulk filings and voter deletions.
Under pressure from Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and his Ministers/MLAs to act immediately on their request to file complaints over filing false claims resulting in deletion of eligible voters, Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka, V. Anbukumar on Thursday directed Electoral Registration Officers to initiate action as per law against the applicant who has made knowingly false statement or declaration in writing in the application/form 6, 6A, 7 and 8.
In a statement here, the Chief Electoral Officer stated “It has come to the notice of this office that there are instances of filing bulk applications in Form 7 before EROs and it has been alleged that such forms are not genuine.”
The Chief Electoral Officer said EROs shall take action as per law against the applicant under the provisions of section 31 of the Representation of People’s Act, 1950. Such action shall be preceded by an inquiry under Rule 20 of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.
Taking exception of the sit-in by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar demanded immediate action from Election Commission of India to file complaints with authorities concerned over complaints of bulk pre-filled Form-7 leading to deletion of voters, Leader of Opposition in Assembly R. Ashoka questioned the Chief Minister “What authority Chief Minister has to issue directions to the Election Commission?”
Adding, he said, “Congress leaders have brought political pressure on election officials. If there is a problem, they should approach the Court. If the documents are in order, the Court will direct the Election Commission.”
Earlier, a delegation led by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar met V. Anbukumar to bring to his notice the deletion of voters’ names in electoral rolls through pre-printed and forged Form-7 in Karnataka. The delegation wanted immediate action from the Chief Electoral Officer and to file a complaint with officials concerned over Form-7 misuse.
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar alleged a gang of Bharatiya Janata Party leaders at work to get selected voters names deleted in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Electoral Rolls misusing Form-7.
