New Delhi, 03 July (H.S.)

Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi on Friday alleged large-scale irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Karnataka, claiming that the process was being conducted in violation of Election Commission guidelines with the support of the state government.

In a statement, Joshi alleged that after reports from Ramanagara, similar irregularities had now surfaced in Shiggaon-Savanur and Hubballi-Dharwad. He claimed that SIR enumeration forms were being filled inside mosques and that the process was being openly publicised through WhatsApp groups.

Describing the developments as a major electoral scam, the Union Minister urged the authorities to immediately stop such practices.

Joshi alleged that the Congress-led Karnataka government was systematically facilitating illegal practices in the SIR exercise across several parts of the state, including Ramanagara, Shiggaon-Savanur and Hubballi-Dharwad Assembly constituencies.

He said he had received several phone calls from different parts of Karnataka alleging that SIR forms were being filled inside mosques in violation of prescribed procedures and that related messages were being circulated on social media platforms.

According to Joshi, the Election Commission's guidelines require Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to conduct mandatory door-to-door verification under the supervision of the District Election Officer. Instead, he alleged, forms were being filled at common locations, including mosques, without household verification, calling the development deeply concerning.

The Union Minister further alleged that the ongoing electoral roll revision in Karnataka had turned into a large-scale scam, claiming that the Election Commission's guidelines were being completely disregarded to manipulate the voter list for political gain.

Referring to a specific instance, Joshi alleged that in Booth No. 16 of Ward No. 63 in the Hubballi-Dharwad East Assembly constituency, the designated BLO had filled enumeration forms from a single location instead of conducting door-to-door verification, in violation of the prescribed procedure.

Demanding an impartial and comprehensive inquiry, Joshi called for strict legal action against officials found responsible as well as any political persons allegedly involved in the irregularities.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Rakesh Mahadevappa