Story perspectives

Police File FIRs Over Alleged Bulk Voter Deletions in Karnataka

By Drooid · Oct 5, 2026, 10:23 AM UTC · How we work

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Alleged Voter Suppression

Police filed FIRs in Ballari, Belagavi and Bidar districts alleging bulk Form-7 voter deletions during Karnataka’s Intensive Revision.
The filings were said to target poor and minority voters, sparking accusations of voter suppression.
Election officials limit Level Agents to ten Form-7 applications, with cross-verification for batches over thirty.
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said the Election Commission, not the SIT, will probe bulk filings.

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BJP Threatens Protests

Police filed FIRs in Karnataka’s Ballari, Belagavi and Bidar districts alleging bulk Form-7 applications to delete voters during the Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
The BJP warned of statewide protests if police continue FIRs against its workers, accusing Congress of intimidation and a misleading voter-deletion narrative.
President BY Vijayendra wrote to police, citing 84,900 EC Form-7 objections, urging no FIRs.

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Cabinet Demands Probe

Police filed FIRs in Ballari, Belagavi and Bidar districts alleging bulk Form-7 applications to delete voters during Karnataka’s Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Chief Electoral Officer directed action under Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act and chief minister’s cabinet protested, demanding a criminal investigation.
The CEO recorded 84,900 Form-7 applications (June 16-Oct 1) and said none were objections to inclusions.

History

Historical Context

The Election Commission of India periodically conducts intensive revisions; the last nationwide intensive revision occurred in 2003. A Special Intensive Revision launched in 2025 removed about 4.7 million voters in Bihar, and Supreme Court petitions over the process have revived concerns about disenfranchisement in Karnataka, prompting state officials and political parties to file FIRs.

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Alleged Voter Suppression

Police filed FIRs in Ballari, Belagavi and Bidar districts alleging bulk Form-7 voter deletions during Karnataka’s Intensive Revision.
The filings were said to target poor and minority voters, sparking accusations of voter suppression.
Election officials limit Level Agents to ten Form-7 applications, with cross-verification for batches over thirty.
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said the Election Commission, not the SIT, will probe bulk filings.

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