SIR: Pre-filled Form-7 applications against Muslim voters in Kodagu came from ‘party office’, say objectors
In Karnataka's Kodagu district, dozens of pre-filled Form-7 applications were filed to delete Muslim voters from electoral rolls, citing 'absenteeism'. Objectors admitted to following instructions from a local party office, raising concerns about organized voter disenfranchisement.
Why it matters
This report highlights potential systemic manipulation of electoral rolls and the targeting of specific demographic groups, which is a significant concern for democratic integrity.
In a similar trend seen across multiple Assembly constituencies in Karnataka, where pre-filled Form-7 applications were filed in bulk seeking deletion of Muslim voters’ names, at least 50 applications were filed against Muslim names at a single polling station at the Government Higher Primary School at Bydagotta in Kodagu district on September 23 alone. The objectors said the forms had been sent from the “party office”. All the applications cited “absent” as the reason for deletion.
Data accessed by The Hindu shows that at least 50 Form-7 applications were filed by objectors named Rajni, B.N. Basavaraju, Lokesh, Savitha Malali, and A.C. Nagaraj. However, officials in Somwarpet where the polling station is, said they had not received any of these applications.
When contacted by The Hindu , Mr. Basavaraju and Ms. Rajni said they had filed 10 applications each, claiming they had “doubts” that the voters had “duplicate” entries.
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