Mass Form 7 filings raise alarm over possible removal of Muslim voters in Karnataka
Hundreds of Form 7 applications have been submitted in several Karnataka constituencies, prompting claims that Muslim voters are being targeted for deletion from the electoral roll.
Voters in Karnataka’s Bhalki, Vijayapura and Belagavi districts report a surge of Form 7 requests that could lead to the deletion of Muslim names from the electoral roll. Over 500 applications were filed in Bhalki’s Nittur (B) area, and similar numbers appeared in other booths, with applicants allegedly using phone numbers from Mysuru and Bengaluru. Affected residents, many of whom hold Aadhaar, old voter IDs and ration cards, argue the forms falsely label them as having shifted residence.
Election officials explain that each request requires on-ground verification before any deletion occurs. The issue prompted protests at the Nittur Gram Panchayat office and statements from district officials, the rural development minister Eshwar B Khandre, and other politicians, all urging a thorough probe while denying any party-led scheme.
How this story developed
- Sep 23 Election Commission denies internal dissent, says all decisions were unanimous
- Sep 23 Congress senior filed a petition urging the Supreme Court to intervene and summon the Election Commission members.
- Sep 25 A Supreme Court petition seeking criminal prosecution of the chief election commissioner was filed.
- Sep 26 The Election Commission announced that Booth Level Officers will visit voters flagged in the SIR to collect supporting documents, with online hearings and additional help desks to be established.
- Sep 27 Opposition parties announced nationwide rallies and a parliamentary motion to force the CEC’s resignation following the removal of over 130 million voter names.
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