Published Oct 06, 2026 | 4:07 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 06, 2026 | 4:07 PM
NDA leaders meet Karnataka Governor. (Supplied)
Synopsis: An NDA delegation has requested the Governor to issue appropriate directions to the Karnataka Government to safeguard individuals who filed objections through Form-7.
An NDA delegation, including BJP and JD (S) leaders, on Tuesday, 6 October, met Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot to put forward their concerns regarding the state government’s alleged interference in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy, R Ashoka and Chalavadi Narayanaswamy were among those who submitted the complaint letter.
The letter submitted to the Governor noted: “The process of SIR was progressing smoothly and in a structured manner and is currently at the stage of notice hearing and filing of claims and objections. The entire exercise of SIR is conducted with the objective of delivering the constitutional promise of universal adult franchise through an electoral roll which is accurate, inclusive, and legally valid.”
It further added, “It is essential to conduct the aforesaid exercise to prevent and curb the inclusion of ineligible persons in the electoral rolls on account of illegal influx. Hence, the exercise of SIR is essential to safeguard the integrity of the electoral rolls and ensure free and fair elections.”
About the row over filing of bulk objections with Form-7, the NDA reasoned, “There exists a provision to file applications in bulk for identifying corrections to be carried out in the draft electoral rolls.”
“Hence, there is no bar on filing bulk objections through Form-7, as per the communique issued by the Hon’ble Election Commission of India dated 16.01.2026…”
The letter further alleged that the Congress Government, along with their party workers belonging to the KPCC, have been extensively and unduly influencing and interfering in the functioning of the SIR process.
“The members of the ruling Government, along with their party workers, are also misusing the state police machinery by filing false and serious criminal charges against individuals who have been filing objections through Form-7, thereby creating a sense of fear and apprehension in the minds of the objectors and diluting the entire exercise of SIR.”
Further noting that the filing of false objections is punishable under Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, the delegation added, “the State Government has been pressurising the police to register serious offences such as cheating, forgery, intimidation, and breach of peace under the BNS Act.”
Alleging targeting of BJP, it added, “The police, in an attempt to bypass the non-cognizable nature of Section 31 of the said Act, have been filing serious cases without due application of mind and under political pressure, particularly targeting party workers of the BJP and individuals sympathetic towards the BJP.”
Citing the reports of six FIRs being registered in Bhalki (Bidar), Market Area (Belagavi), Vyalikaval (Bengaluru), Ballari and Narasimharaja (Mysuru), the letter claimed, “This constitutes a serious misuse of police power to interfere with the functioning of an independent and impartial body, the Election Commission of India, thereby compromising the integrity of the entire SIR exercise.”
Complaining against the protest on 1 October, led by Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, along with his entourage of Ministers, the letter said, “They unlawfully protested within the premises of the CEO’s office despite prohibitory orders. This unauthorised protest exerted undue influence on the functioning of the Chief Electoral Office.”
The delegation recalled the August 2022 order of the Karnataka High Court and the Regulation of Protests, Demonstrations and Protest Marches (Bengaluru City) Order, 2021, which restricts protests to designated areas including Freedom Park.
“It appears that such actions resulted in the issuance of a Circular dated 01.10.2026, proposing action under Section 31 of the RP Act. This Circular has caused serious apprehension among individuals who have submitted Form-7 applications, as it appears to legitimise the misuse of police machinery and undue interference in the SIR process. Individuals are now fearing the registration of false criminal cases under the BNS Act, 2023, with serious offences being invoked in FIRs across various districts including Belagavi, Bidar, Ballari and Mysuru.”
Also Read: Karnataka BJP threatens statewide agitation if workers face action over Form 7 filings
The delegation has requested the Governor to issue appropriate directions to the Karnataka Government to safeguard individuals who filed objections through Form-7.
They also sought directions to ensure that “false and unwarranted FIRs and criminal cases under the BNS Act, 2023 are not registered against individuals, including BJP party workers, during the SIR exercise, in the interest of justice and to maintain the purity of elections.”
(Edited by Sumavarsha)
