Karnataka election chief reassures voters after 1 crore names dropped

The Chief Electoral Officer of Karnataka has moved to allay public concerns following the removal of roughly one crore names from the state's final electoral roll, assuring affected voters that their inclusion can be restored through a straightforward procedure. The officer stated that citizens whose names were deleted can apply using Form 6 to have themselves reinstated as registered electors before the polling process commences. The mass deletion has sparked discussions about the accuracy of the electoral database and the reasons behind the large-scale removal of voter registrations. Officials attributed the removals to various factors, including duplicate entries, deceased voters, and individuals who had relocated to other constituencies or states. The electoral commission emphasised that the application process under Form 6 has been streamlined to ensure swift verification and reinstatement of eligible voters. Citizens have been urged to verify their names in the published electoral roll and submit applications immediately if they find discrepancies, to avoid disenfranchisement during the election period. The assurance comes as Karnataka prepares for its electoral exercises, with poll officials working to maintain both the integrity of the voter database and ensure maximum participation of eligible citizens in the democratic process.