Bulk Pre-Filled Voter Objections Target Muslim Names in Karnataka
Last updated: 1 hour ago | 6 min read
Karnataka Minister @ArshadRizwan has urged the @ceo_karnataka to immediately suspend processing of Form 7 objections, calling their use an organised misuse. Why are individuals allowed to seek bulk voter deletions without proper verification? Most of the applications targeting…
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) October 1, 2026
Belagavi/Bengaluru: A major political controversy has erupted in Karnataka over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, with allegations that bulk, pre-filled Form-7 applications were used to target Muslim voters for deletion. The row has led to FIRs, demands for a criminal probe, and a sit-in protest by the Chief Minister.
Key Facts At A Glance
- Bulk pre-filled Form-7 applications reported in Belagavi, Bhalki, Vijayapura and Mudigere.
- One elector, Huchappa Ganiger, filed 493 objections across ~30 polling stations.
- Another elector, Govindaraj Mundur, filed 413 applications across 33 booths.
- In Bhalki, ~30 people filed objections against 1,700+ names in a single day.
- Three FIRs registered — two in Belagavi, one in Bhalki.
- Deadline to dispose of claims and objections: October 15.
Allegations of targeted deletion in Belagavi and beyond
The controversy first came to light in Belagavi North Assembly constituency, where Booth Level Officers (BLOs) at multiple polling stations reported receiving large numbers of Form-7 applications seeking deletion of Muslim names. At polling station 196 in Veerabhadra Nagar, Booth Level Agent (BLA) Meersab Sanadi discovered that his own name, along with those of his brother, relatives and neighbours, were among those listed for deletion.
According to BLOs at six polling stations — four in Veerabhadra Nagar (polling parts 194, 195, 196 and 199) and two at the Government Kannada Higher Primary School in Shettigali (parts 209 and 210) — two men claiming to be from the Belagavi City Corporation brought “already printed” Form-7 applications in bulk. The applications sought deletion of names on the ground that the voters were allegedly “bogus”.
Similar patterns were reported in other constituencies. In Babaleshwar, 1,373 Form-7 applications were received on September 22 alone, with 1,363 of those filed by just 10 individuals. In Bhalki, Bidar district, at least 30 people filed objections seeking deletion of more than 1,700 names on September 23. The issue also surfaced in Mudigere, where BJP booth level agents filed Form-7 applications in bulk seeking deletion of voters.
Scale of bulk filings reported
| Location | Objections Filed | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Belagavi North | Bulk forms at 6 booths | Pre-printed forms carried by two men from city corporation |
| Babaleshwar | 1,373 in one day | 1,363 filed by just 10 individuals |
| Bhalki (Bidar) | 1,700+ names | ~30 people filed objections on September 23 |
| Vijayapura | 14,000 applications | Figure cited by CM Shivakumar |
| Mudigere | 50–200 per booth | Filed by BJP booth level agents; later withdrawn |
Pre-printed forms raise data security concerns
A particularly troubling aspect of the controversy is the discovery of pre-printed forms containing voters’ sensitive personal details. In Bhalki, multiple Form-7 applications had the objectors’ details handwritten, while the names of voters proposed for deletion were already printed. When contacted, a person named as the objector on these forms identified himself as “Suresh” and denied being Vishnuvardhan Kote, whose EPIC details were linked to the application.
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar raised serious concerns about data security, questioning how objectors obtained pre-printed forms bearing electors’ sensitive personal details.
“How can a confidential document be leaked? I do not even know the EPIC numbers of my own family members. Yet, all details, addresses and EPIC numbers have been pre-printed on forms and sent across all 224 constituencies.”— D.K. Shivakumar, Chief Minister of Karnataka
The Chief Minister drew parallels to the previous “Chilume” electoral data controversy, in which voter data was allegedly accessed improperly.
Congress alleges organised vote theft
The Congress party has launched a fierce attack on the BJP and JD(S), accusing them of orchestrating a conspiracy to delete legitimate voters. Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar termed the exercise a brazen act of “vote chori” (vote theft) and demanded a criminal investigation.
Speaking at a press conference, Shivakumar alleged that minorities, Dalits and ST voters were being disproportionately targeted.
“There are many instances of individuals filing multiple applications in different names for deleting voters. Minorities, Dalits, tribals are being targeted to remove their names from electoral roll under Special Intensive Revision.”— D.K. Shivakumar
The Chief Minister claimed that applications had been filed to delete 45 lakh votes. He alleged that BJP workers, not Booth Level Agents, were filing Form-7 applications to delete voters on others’ behalf.
Shivakumar, accompanied by six cabinet ministers, met Chief Electoral Officer V. Anbukkumar and demanded immediate registration of an FIR and a time-bound criminal investigation into the bulk submission of fraudulent Form-7 objections. He threatened to sit at the CEO’s office until an inquiry was ordered.
Food and Civil Supplies Minister Rizwan Arshad also announced he would submit a memorandum to the Chief Electoral Officer, highlighting what he described as “misuse of Form 7” to target thousands of voters for removal from the voter list.
BJP denies allegations, alleges Congress manipulation
The BJP has denied the allegations of targeting Muslim voters. Belagavi South MLA Abhay Patil rejected claims that he sought deletion of 2,500 voters, stating that his communication to election authorities was aimed at seeking verification of objections submitted by Booth Level Agents. He said names should be removed only if official verification establishes that a voter entry is bogus, and denied referring to Muslims or any particular community.
Expelled BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal also denied targeting Muslim voters in Vijayapura district, responding to allegations made by Minister M.B. Patil and others.
BJP state president Vijayendra questioned why it was wrong for his party to file objections, alleging that during the SIR process, Muslim voters had been gathered at mosques in some places and officials had been stationed there to facilitate the addition of names to the electoral rolls illegally.
In Mudigere, the BJP’s BLA admitted he was given directions to file Form 7 by his Mandal president. However, the applications were later “withdrawn” fearing punishment for false claims and objections under election laws.
Official response and legal action
The Election Commission has maintained that voters cannot be deleted solely on the basis of bulk requests. Belagavi electoral authorities rejected a request concerning approximately 2,598 voters, stating that there was no legal provision for bulk scrutiny or deletion in the manner sought.
Belagavi Deputy Commissioner Mohammed Roshan confirmed that none of the voters had been deleted on the basis of the objections submitted in the disputed incident.
The Karnataka Police have filed three FIRs — two in Belagavi and one in Bhalki — over the submission of Form-7s in bulk.
What the rules actually say
| Provision | Rule |
|---|---|
| Valid grounds for Form 7 | Voter is dead, duplicate, or permanently shifted |
| Objections per voter | Maximum 5 during the entire SIR process |
| Objections per BLA | Up to 30 |
| Verification | BLO must verify presence at address and file report |
| Final authority | Electoral Registration Officer, after hearing both parties |
| False statement penalty | Up to 1 year imprisonment, or fine, or both (Sec 31, RP Act 1960) |
Timeline of developments
-
September 22
1,373 Form-7 applications received in Babaleshwar in a single day; 1,363 filed by 10 individuals. -
September 23
~30 people file objections against 1,700+ names in Bhalki, Bidar district. -
Following days
BLOs in Belagavi North report pre-printed forms at six polling stations; BLA Meersab Sanadi finds his own name on the deletion list. -
CM press conference
D.K. Shivakumar terms it “vote chori”, demands FIR and criminal probe; alleges 45 lakh names targeted. -
FIRs registered
Three FIRs filed — two in Belagavi, one in Bhalki. -
October 15 (upcoming)
Deadline to dispose of all claims and objections; final rolls due later this month.
Wider political fallout
The controversy has also raised concerns within the NDA camp. JD(S) leaders, allies of the BJP, have reportedly raised concerns that the “West Bengal model” of voter deletions is being implemented in Karnataka.
The SIR process in Karnataka has been contentious from the start. Before the SIR began, the state had 5.54 crore voters. Approximately 1 crore were removed during the enumeration phase, classified under the Absent, Shifted, Dead, Deleted and Others category. Of the roughly 4.4 crore voters who made it to the draft roll, notices were served to 43.81 lakh. Officials suspect that if 20–25 per cent of these voters don’t make it back, Karnataka’s electorate could shrink to around 4.35 crore.
The coming days are expected to see intensified political activity as both the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP gear up for a showdown over the integrity of the electoral revision process.
Frequently asked questions
What is Form 7?
Form 7 is the prescribed application used to object to an existing entry in the electoral roll, on grounds that the voter is dead, shifted, or duplicated. It is not a tool for mass deletion of names.
Have any voters actually been deleted in Belagavi?
No. Belagavi Deputy Commissioner Mohammed Roshan confirmed that none of the voters were deleted on the basis of the disputed objections.
Can a citizen file unlimited objections?
No. The Election Commission has capped objections at five per voter for the entire SIR process, and 30 per Booth Level Agent.
What happens next?
Claims and objections must be disposed of by October 15, after which final electoral rolls will be published. The FIRs registered in Belagavi and Bhalki will proceed separately.
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