Published Oct 05, 2026 | 4:55 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 05, 2026 | 4:55 PM
The Thirthahalli Tahsildar subsequently issued a memo directing a spot verification the following day.
Synopsis: A BJP worker in Karnataka’s Thirthahalli sought verification of 82 voters in the draft electoral roll during the SIR, claiming they did not reside at the addresses listed, in a representation to the Tahsildar. Of the names listed in the representation, 80 are Muslim. Speaking to South First, Satish S. confirmed that he had submitted the representation but denied targeting Muslims.
A BJP worker in Thirthahalli taluk of Chikkamagaluru district, Karnataka, sought verification of 82 voters in Surali-Balebailu village, Kasaba Hobli, claiming that none of them resided at the addresses mentioned in the electoral rolls.
In a representation dated September 16, Satish S wrote to the Thirthahalli Tahsildar seeking verification of the voters listed in Part No. 186 of the draft electoral roll.
“It has come to my notice that most of the voters listed therein are residing in different villages/places. They are currently not residing at the address/location mentioned in Part No. 186 of the draft electoral roll. I have enclosed below the list of those voters. Therefore, I kindly request you to properly verify the particulars/residential status of the said voters,” he wrote.
The Thirthahalli Tahsildar subsequently issued a memo directing a spot verification the following day.
The Karnataka unit of the Solidarity Youth Movement (SYM) provided a copy of the representation to South First. Its president, Dr Naseem Ahmed, said the organisation’s Thirthahalli unit had obtained the copy and alleged that the representation targeted Muslim voters.
Of the 82 names listed in the representation, only two belong to Hindus and the remaining 80 to Muslims.
The development comes amid reports of bulk filing of Form 7 objections during the final days of the claims and objections period on September 22, 23 and 24.
The Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer, V Anbukkumar, subsequently directed Electoral Registration Officers in all 224 Assembly constituencies to act against applicants who knowingly make false declarations in Form 7.
The Karnataka police have registered at least four FIRs naming BJP workers, among others, in Belagavi, Bidar and Mysuru districts over allegations of bulk filing of Form 7 objections targeting eligible voters from minority communities, particularly Muslims.
Satish confirmed to South First that he had submitted a representation concerning 82 voters, but denied that it targeted Muslims.
He claimed the list also contained “four or five” Hindu voters and said the names were identified because the electors had allegedly died, permanently shifted, married and moved elsewhere, sold their properties and relocated, or vacated rented houses.
Satish said he had initially sought to file Form 7 applications, but claimed local officials told him not to file Form 7 and instead accepted an ordinary written representation. He said no verification had been completed so far.
He also denied acting on behalf of any political party and said he submitted the representation as a “common man”.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
