Karnataka receives 110k Form 7 applications amid row over SIR

In Karnataka, a total of 110,654 applications seeking objections to changes in the electoral rolls have been received as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the rolls continues. The Election Commission has set October 22 as the deadline to resolve these claims and objections, with the final listing to be published on October 27.

This surge in applications follows a political dispute, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accusing the Congress government of using the controversy to intimidate party workers. BJP state president BY Vijayendra defended the revision process as an effort to eliminate irregularities from voter lists, while accusing the government of pressuring the police to register cases against his party workers submitting Form 7 applications.

As of October 9, Karnataka had 45,161,393 registered electors, comprising 22,403,422 men, 22,755,113 women, and 2,858 transgender voters. The revision process has generated 4,382,315 notices, with 4,373,745 (99.80%) delivered, and hearings for 4,088,099 of those notices completed (93.47%). The final hearing is scheduled for October 12.

From June 16 to October 8, the state received 23,02,215 applications under four categories, including 1,10,654 Form 7 applications seeking objections to proposed changes or deletions. BJP workers have been accused of using bulk Form 7 applications to target voters, leading to police cases against them. The BJP maintains its support for the revision process, denying any attempt to intimidate voters or influence the outcome.