Belagavi: ECI officials reject BJP MLA’s request for scrutiny and deletion of 2,598 votes

The Election Commission of India officers in charge of Special Intensive Revision have rejected the demand for scrutiny and deletion of around 2,598 votes sought by BJP leader and MLA Abhay Patil in Belagavi North constituency.

M. Karthik, Belagavi city corporation commissioner and the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) has replied to the MLA’s letter, saying that there was no legal provision for bulk scrutiny or deletion of votes under the SIR process.

He has, however, clarified that Booth Level Agents (BLAs) could file objections to the inclusion of doubtful electors through the concerned Booth Level Officers (BLOs).

In a letter dated September 19, Mr. Patil had alleged that the BLAs from his constituency had detected over 2,598 bogus voters. He had given details of the number of suspect voters along with their part numbers and booth numbers.