Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has called for a full investigation, including a criminal probe, into the alleged misuse of Form 7 to seek deletion of voters' names from electoral rolls during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in the state.
In a video message, Shivakumar alleged that Form 7 applications were being submitted fraudulently in several constituencies to delete voters' names. BJP leaders and workers were in charge of submitting such applications at the direction of party leaders. These allegations are not established through an independent investigation and the Election Commission will be the one to investigate individual claims about electoral roll applications.
DK Shivakumar seeks criminal investigation
Shivakumar said several Congress leaders had submitted documents to him relating to cases in which Form 7 applications were allegedly filed fraudulently. He said material should be examined through a formal process and called for both a comprehensive investigation and a criminal investigation within the framework of the law.
"There is a need for a full investigation and criminal investigation within the framework of law into this matter,” Shivakumar said in his video message.
Form 7 is used for raising objections to the inclusion of a name in an electoral roll or for deletion of an existing entry under specified grounds. During the electoral roll revision process, applications and objections are checked by the election authorities before any decision is made.
Shivakumar said that the problem went beyond isolated incidents and cited cases of similar cases from constituencies represented by both sitting and former legislators.
Allegations From multiple Karnataka Constituencies
According to the Chief Minister, alleged irregularities have been brought to his notice from Bhalki, represented by Minister Eshwar Khandre, Mudigere, represented by Nayana Motamma, and Narasimharaja, represented by Tanveer Sait.
Shivakumar argued that if these applications were filed in multiple constituencies, the matter needed to be looked at at a larger level. He said, however, that the pattern indicated a possible organised effort (although that is still an allegation and would be verified by the evidence and official investigation).
The Chief Minister also appealed to Congress functionaries, Booth Level Agents, Booth Level Agents-2, legislators and voters to provide information about suspicious Form 7 applications to his office.
Shivakumar Raises Concerns About Voter Roll Changes
Shivakumar also made broader claims about the scale of deletions during the SIR exercise. He said more than one crore names had been removed from electoral rolls and that notices had been issued to more than 50 lakh voters.
The figures cited by the Chief Minister relate to the ongoing revision process and should be read in the context of the claims-and-objections stage. Electoral roll revisions can involve deletions for different reasons, including deaths, migration, duplication and other eligibility-related issues, subject to the applicable verification.
Shivakumar said the ongoing claims and objections period provided voters and political representatives an opportunity to flag cases where names might have been wrongly removed or where objections may have been submitted without proper basis.
“As your Chief Minister, as a public servant, I’m trying to protect your votes,” he said, and expressed concern over the alleged irregularities.
Chief Minister To Meet Election Officials
Shivakumar said he would meet election officials and raise the issue with documents and information collected from different parts of Karnataka. He also said the material would be brought before the Election Commission for examination.
The Chief Minister urged voters to immediately share details if Form 7 applications had been submitted to delete their own names or those of other voters without proper grounds.
The right to vote is the foundation of our democracy, and protecting every genuine vote is my bound duty as Chief Minister of Karnataka.
— DK Shivakumar (@DKShivakumar) October 1, 2026
I appeal to all voters, BLAs, BLA 1s, BLA 2s and our leaders to stay alert and check whether Form 7 applications seeking deletion of votes… pic.twitter.com/xm93BgkBOv
The appeal comes as the SIR process has become a politically contested issue in Karnataka. Political parties and election authorities have closely watched the revision of electoral rolls and questions about voter inclusion, deletion and verification are part of the wider debate.
Election Authorities To Examine Claims
The allegations made by Shivakumar now put more emphasis on the verification mechanisms of Form 7 applications. The application for deletion of a voter should be evaluated through the electoral process and claims of fraudulent applications can be examined based on documentary evidence and statements.
For individual voters, the ongoing claims and objections process is particularly important because it provides a mechanism to challenge changes to electoral roll entries.
Shivakumar has asked party workers and voters to collect and submit details of suspected irregularities rather than limit the issue to political accusations. He said the information would be compiled and presented to election officials.
The issue is therefore likely to remain a key issue in Karnataka's political debate as the SIR exercise progresses. The alleged misuse of Form 7 will depend on the evidence collected and findings of competent election and investigative authorities.
For now, the Karnataka government has sought a detailed examination of the allegations, while the Election Commission's verification process will determine the validity of individual Form 7 applications and whether action should be taken in cases where wrongdoing is proven.
