“No Electors Deleted In Karnataka So Far,” Clarifies CEO
The clarification from the CEO assumed significance over allegations made by the ruling Congress government accusing selected voters of Muslims were targeted at various assembly seats such as Bhalki in Bidar district, N.R. seat of Mysuru district, Belagavi among others by Bharatiya Janata Party leaders.
BENGALURU: Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka V. Anbukumar on Monday clarified “I convey to the voters of Karnataka just because someone has filed objections before officials concerned for deletion of certain names from the electoral rolls, no names have been deleted so far.” Adding he stated “The matter has been confirmed by Electoral Registration Officers (EROs).”
The clarification from the CEO assumed significance over allegations made by the ruling Congress government accusing selected voters of Muslims were targeted at various assembly seats such as Bhalki in Bidar district, N.R. seat of Mysuru district, Belagavi among others by Bharatiya Janata Party leaders. Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had a couple of days ago alleged pre-printed and forged Form-7 distributed to get certain voters' names deleted from the existing rolls.
Commenting on allegations of selected names targeted to delete their names from the electoral rolls, Anbukumar made it clear “Just because of objections filed, no names have been deleted so far. It will be enquired by concerned EROS and necessary action will be initiated later on.”
Prior to the deletion of names, he said, concerned EROs have to serve notices on both persons objecting a particular name and also the voter concerned for hearing. Documents have to be verified after which an ERO can take a decision. Once an ERO is convinced, Anbukumar said, he can decide to delete a particular name or not. That’s the procedure mentioned in the Rules. He reiterated “Not a single voter name has been deleted.”
“I have written to EROs clearly stating to take necessary action if they are convinced after an enquiry and if it is needed,” said the CEO in a chat with reporters in Bengaluru after a press conference in Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls.
On complaints of bulk Form-7 submissions to get certain names deleted from the rolls, Anbukumar said he is gathering details from the ground.” Regarding allegations of bulk Form-7 submissions to get selected voters deleted from the Rolls, Anbukumar said Form 7 is a voter application form for objection for proposed inclusion/deletion of name in the existing electoral roll and CEO stated a total of 91, 278 Form 7 were received.
At the press conference, Anbukumar stated to begin a special drive after October 27 to enrol left over voters. He stated as on October 5 in Karnataka there are 4, 50, 29, 916 electors in the Electoral Rolls comprising 2, 23, 41, 784 male voters and 2, 26, 85, 269 female voters. 2, 863 are transgender voters.
