Bengaluru, 06 July (H.S.): Alleging widespread irregularities in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Karnataka, a National Democratic Alliance (NDA) delegation led by Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and H. D. Kumaraswamy on Monday submitted a complaint to the state's Chief Electoral Officer, demanding a comprehensive inquiry into the process.
Addressing reporters after submitting the memorandum, Pralhad Joshi alleged that the SIR exercise was not being conducted in a credible and transparent manner, warning that it could result in an inaccurate and unreliable electoral roll.
He claimed that, contrary to the Election Commission's guidelines requiring Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to conduct door-to-door verification, enumeration forms were allegedly being filled at community halls, mosques and the residences of Congress public representatives in several places. Such practices, he said, undermine the transparency and integrity of the electoral process.
Joshi further alleged that WhatsApp groups had been created to summon voters to designated locations for filling up enumeration forms. He said documentary evidence and social media material supporting these allegations had been submitted to the Chief Electoral Officer in a pen drive.
The NDA demanded that all enumeration forms already collected be subjected to mandatory door-to-door re-verification. It also sought legal action against officials and political functionaries allegedly involved in irregularities during the SIR process.
Accusing the state government of facilitating the alleged violations, Joshi alleged that Karnataka Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar was attempting to undermine the electoral system. He urged the Chief Electoral Officer to order a fresh enumeration exercise across the state.
Joshi said similar complaints had earlier been submitted by Karnataka BJP president B. Y. Vijayendra, Leader of the Opposition Chalavadi Narayanaswamy and JD(S) youth leader Nikhil Kumaraswamy, but no corrective measures had been taken.
He also alleged that photographs of local MLAs had been printed on the identity cards of some Booth Level Officers, calling it a serious violation of the neutrality expected in the electoral process.
Referring to the SIR exercise in West Bengal, Joshi alleged that the Congress government in Karnataka was enabling illegal migrants to be included in the electoral rolls. Without proper door-to-door verification, he said, it would be impossible to establish the genuine identity of voters.
The NDA leaders further alleged that the SIR exercise was being carried out only in select polling booths, raising concerns over the credibility of the revision process. They urged the Election Commission to intervene immediately and ensure a fair, transparent and impartial investigation into the allegations.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Rakesh Mahadevappa
