Karnataka Election: Over 4,000 voter deletion requests filed ahead of polls

Election officials in Karnataka are examining a spike in voter deletion applications filed across the state ahead of upcoming elections, with more than 4,000 Form-7 requests received in recent weeks.

The surge has drawn scrutiny, particularly in constituencies held by both Congress and BJP. In Babaleshwar alone, 1,373 applications were filed on September 22, with a notable pattern emerging: just 10 individuals filed 1,363 of those requests, seeking the deletion of names largely belonging to Muslim voters registered outside their own polling stations.

Form-7 applications, which allow individuals to request the removal of names from voter rolls, are typically used to challenge duplicate or erroneous entries. However, the concentrated filing by a limited number of applicants across multiple constituencies has prompted election authorities to scrutinize the legitimacy of the bulk requests.

The development comes at a sensitive time in Karnataka's electoral cycle, with concerns being raised about potential attempts to suppress voter registrations. Officials have indicated they will verify each application to ensure compliance with electoral rules and protect the integrity of the voting process.

Election authorities in the state have not yet released official statements regarding investigations into the matter, though the volume and pattern of applications has triggered internal reviews to determine whether proper procedures were followed.