Story perspectives

Election Commission caps electors’ Form 7 applications to 10

By Drooid · Oct 10, 2026, 4:15 AM UTC · How we work

Center

Cap on Filings

On 9 October 2026, the Election Commission of India capped the number of Form 7 applications an individual elector may file.
Electoral Registration Officers must issue notice, hold hearing, record statements, verify signatures, and may penalize false filers under Section 31 of Representation of the People Act, 1950.
The cap covers online filings (six pending limit) and offline forms, which had no prior ceiling.
Officers must verify each applicant’s signature before disposing of a Form 7.

Right

Alleged Voter Purge

Election Commission of India capped the number of Form 7 applications an individual elector may file on 9 October 2026.
Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar accused BJP-linked individuals of attempting mass voter deletions and demanded a criminal investigation.
The commission said the limits aim to stop bulk objections and ease officials’ workload.
Electors may submit ten Form 7 applications total and five each month during updates.

Blindspot

Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar alleged that BJP-linked individuals were attempting mass voter deletions and demanded a criminal investigation into the scheme.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Right-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Center-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

The Election Commission’s 2026 rule limiting Form 7 filings to five per month continues a pattern of tightening election law, from the 1966 amendment that shifted petitions to High Courts to the 1992 Representation of the People amendment that capped filings at three per year after a 1991 Delhi High Court ruling. Karnataka minister D K Shivakumar says it curbs BJP-linked roll deletions.

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Cap on Filings

On 9 October 2026, the Election Commission of India capped the number of Form 7 applications an individual elector may file.
Electoral Registration Officers must issue notice, hold hearing, record statements, verify signatures, and may penalize false filers under Section 31 of Representation of the People Act, 1950.
The cap covers online filings (six pending limit) and offline forms, which had no prior ceiling.
Officers must verify each applicant’s signature before disposing of a Form 7.

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