Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar staged a protest outside the Election Commission office, alleging large-scale misuse of Form-7 to unlawfully delete eligible voters from the electoral rolls during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.
Shivakumar visited the Election Commission office along with ministers and MLAs to submit a formal complaint, alleging that Form-7 applications had been filed illegally to remove voters in a systematic manner. He declared that he would not leave the premises until criminal cases were registered against those responsible. As a result of the protest, the scheduled State Cabinet meeting was cancelled.
Accusing certain individuals of misusing Form-7 to delete the names of eligible voters from the electoral rolls, Shivakumar, accompanied by ministers and legislators, staged a sit-in protest on the steps outside the Election Commission office. The leaders demanded immediate legal action against those allegedly involved in the irregularities.
Speaking to the media after submitting the complaint, Shivakumar said that all relevant documents and evidence regarding the alleged misuse of Form-7 had been handed over to the Chief Electoral Officer of Karnataka. “As the Deputy Chief Minister, it is my responsibility to protect the democratic rights of the people,” he said.
He further alleged that fraudulent Form-7 applications had been submitted in several constituencies. According to Shivakumar, some individuals have admitted their involvement, while others have reportedly identified themselves as BJP workers and requested that no legal action be taken against them.
