Karnataka poll watchdog probes bulk voter deletion applications targeting Muslims

Complaints filed with electoral authorities in Karnataka have raised concerns about coordinated efforts to remove Muslim voters from electoral rolls in several Assembly constituencies. Objectors in Kodagu district alleged that standardized Form-7 applications—used to challenge voter registrations—were pre-filled and appear to have been distributed from political party offices before being submitted in bulk.

The applications specifically targeted Muslim voters for deletion from voting registers, according to election officials investigating the matter. The coordinated nature of the filings, with identical or near-identical applications emerging across multiple constituencies, has drawn scrutiny from poll monitoring bodies.

Form-7 applications allow registered voters or officials to challenge the validity of entries on electoral rolls, citing reasons such as duplicate registrations or ineligibility. However, systematic use of such applications to target voters based on religious identity raises questions about electoral integrity and adherence to poll commission guidelines.

Election authorities in Karnataka have initiated inquiries into the matter. The filings come amid heightened scrutiny of voter enrollment processes across Indian states, with civil society groups and opposition parties flagging instances of potential electoral manipulation. The poll commission is expected to take action based on investigation findings.