Karnataka CM Shivakumar Asks Congress Leaders to Report Bulk Form 7 Applications

In two videos shared on social media, Shivakumar urged BLAs, BLA-1s, BLA-2s and other party functionaries to coordinate with booth-level officers and check whether objections had been filed against voters in their respective constituencies and polling booths.

Shivakumar alleged that some BJP leaders were submitting Form 7 applications in large numbers with the aim of removing voters from electoral rolls, particularly those belonging to minority communities, Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The allegations have not been independently established.

He said he had received reports of such applications from Belagavi, Bhalki, Mudigere, Mysuru and other parts of Karnataka, including constituencies represented by Congress legislators. Referring to the Aland constituency, he alleged that Form 7 was being used in an attempt to challenge Congress electorally.

The Chief Minister asked party leaders to gather verified information on the number of applications filed, along with details of the constituencies and polling booths involved. He also asked them to submit the information to his office and email address before noon.

Shivakumar said he had separately sought information from the police, Deputy Commissioners and Karnataka’s Chief Electoral Officer regarding the applications and alleged irregularities.

He said action would be taken on the matter to ensure that eligible voters were not denied their right to vote.

The Chief Minister stressed that the right to vote should be protected irrespective of political affiliation, religion or social background, and that genuine voters should not be removed from electoral rolls.

Form 7 is used to file claims or objections seeking deletion of a name from an electoral roll, with such applications subject to verification under election rules. The dispute in Karnataka centres on allegations that the form is being submitted in large numbers to seek deletion of eligible voters.

The Election Commission’s SIR schedule lists Karnataka among the states undergoing the 2026 revision, with the final electoral roll scheduled for publication on October 7.