NDA Leaders Complain to Karnataka Election Chief Over Electoral Roll Irregularities

NEW DELHI: A delegation of NDA leaders on Monday submitted a formal complaint to Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer V Anbukumar, alleging that officials were showing "zero regard for the approved process" during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state. The delegation demanded a thorough inquiry, mandatory door-to-door re-verification of all enumeration forms, and strict legal action against officials and political functionaries found responsible for the alleged irregularities.

"We write to express serious concern over the massive irregularities in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise of the electoral rolls in the state of Karnataka. The officials who are supposed to conduct the SIR are showing zero regard for the approved process, thereby undermining the very spirit of democracy," the leaders said in their letter.

The delegation alleged that Booth Level Officers (BLOs) were not following the mandatory guidelines for door-to-door verification laid down by the district election officer. It also claimed that multiple complaints had been received from several parts of the state.

Alleging that enumeration forms were being filled out at community halls, mosques and the residences of BLOs, the NDA leaders said WhatsApp groups had also been created for the exercise, with people being encouraged to visit these locations to complete the SIR process.

"Such a practice is a breach of the established SIR guidelines and raises serious concerns regarding the neutrality and secular character of the electoral process. The SIR is conducted to strengthen the integrity of the electoral rolls, but the manner in which BLOs are conducting the exercise is defeating the very purpose of the revision," they said.

According to the delegation, such practices would create an "unsustainable and unreliable" electoral roll. "No deviation is allowed from the procedures prescribed by the Election Commission of India," the letter said.

The NDA alliance partners urged the Chief Electoral Officer to order an immediate inquiry and direct the re-verification of all enumeration forms through mandatory door-to-door verification. "Strict legal action must be initiated against all officials and political functionaries found responsible for these irregularities," they said.

The opposition parties have, over the past few days, accused the Congress government in Karnataka of "facilitating the inclusion of illegal immigrants" through mass enrolment camps. They also released videos allegedly showing mass enumeration camps being conducted instead of house-to-house visits by BLOs. The opposition further accused the Congress government of "misusing" officials and "diluting" the SIR process.

'Government will not interfere in the SIR process'

Meanwhile, Karnataka chief minister D K Shivakumar rejected the allegations made by the NDA leaders and asserted that the government would not interfere in the SIR exercise. He claimed the opposition was "worried" because the government was creating large-scale awareness about the revision process.

"The government will not interfere in the SIR process. The opposition is worried because the government is creating awareness about the process on such a large scale. Around 4.5 crore people have obtained caste and income certificates. They have been given the facility to download these certificates online. The Opposition only wants poor people and minorities to face difficulties," Shivakumar said.

"Tell us where the Bangladeshi migrants are. If they are there, why didn't your government take action when it was in power? Let them criticise as much as they want. Criticism fades away, but good work remains," he added.

Stressing the importance of the SIR process in safeguarding democratic rights, Shivakumar said, "We are ensuring that everyone gets the right to vote. The Opposition should appreciate the work we have done. I have also instructed our party workers to remain alert. The Opposition only speaks to criticise."

The house-to-house enumeration phase of the SIR in Karnataka, which began on June 30, will continue until July 29.