Karnataka SIR: Bulk Form-7 Objections Spark Row Over Electoral Rolls, Muslim Voters Among Majority Challenged

Karnataka is facing controversy over bulk Form-7 objections filed during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, with multiple reports indicating that a large share of the challenged names belong to Muslim voters.

Form-7 is the official mechanism under the Representation of the People Act that allows any elector to object to the inclusion of a name in the draft electoral roll, typically on grounds such as death, permanent shifting of residence, duplicate enrolment or ineligibility.

A Form-7 application does not automatically result in deletion. Each case requires field verification by Booth Level Officers (BLOs), notice to the affected voter and an opportunity to respond before any name can be removed.

Bulk objections reported in Babaleshwar and Bhalki

In constituencies such as Babaleshwar in Vijayapura, represented by Minister M.B. Patil, and Bhalki in Bidar, represented by Minister Eshwar Khandre, thousands of Form-7 applications were concentrated in a short period near the claims-and-objections deadline, around September 22-24, 2026.

In Babaleshwar alone, 1,373 applications were received on one day, of which 1,363 came from just 10 individuals, largely targeting Muslim voters outside the objectors’ own polling stations.

In Bhalki, more than 1,700 names were objected to on a single day by around 30 people, with additional batches of hundreds more applications following the same pattern.

Overall figures for the two constituencies exceed 3,700-4,000 challenged names, with the majority appearing to be Muslim and a smaller number from Scheduled Caste communities.

Similar bulk filings have been reported in other areas, including Belagavi, Basavakalyan, Belthangady, Mudigere and elsewhere, spanning both Congress- and BJP-held seats.

In several cases, the targeted voters’ details were pre-printed on the forms, while only the objector’s name, and sometimes contact details, was handwritten. Some objectors reportedly lived far from the polling stations concerned or submitted dozens or hundreds of applications each.

Civil society groups seek inquiry

Civil society groups, including the Association for Protection of Civil Rights – Karnataka, and local residents have alleged coordinated targeting and possible misuse of the process.

They have sought a temporary halt to deletions pending physical verification, proper notices and an inquiry.

Political reactions over Form-7 filings

Karnataka Food & Civil Supplies Minister Rizwan Arshad has highlighted the scale of private Form-7 filings and called for a halt to unrestricted private objections and a formal inquiry.

Reports cite figures in the range of tens of thousands of objections statewide during the relevant period, with a high proportion attributed to private individuals.

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has expressed concern that bulk objections could disproportionately affect minorities, Dalits, tribals and other backward communities.

He has directed party workers, Booth Level Agents and officials to collect constituency-wise and booth-wise data on bulk Form-7 filings, especially those with incomplete reasons or pre-printed details, and submit authenticated reports to his office by noon on October 1, 2026.

He has also sought detailed information from the Chief Electoral Officer, district authorities and police, and called for action against any misuse to safeguard genuine voters ahead of the final electoral roll publication later this month.

Election officials say no automatic deletions

Election officials maintain that every Form-7 application is subject to due process and verification and that no automatic deletions take place.

The claims-and-objections window has closed and disposal of applications is ongoing, with the final electoral rolls expected later in October 2026.

Voters who believe their names have been wrongly challenged are advised to check the draft rolls, respond to any notices and approach their BLO or local Electoral Registration Officer promptly.

The controversy continues to draw attention from political parties, civil society and the media as the SIR process moves towards finalisation.