📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Election Commission of India
Politics
EC steps in as Karnataka Form‑7 row intensifies over alleged fake voter deletions
✍️ indiatoday.in
🗓 02 Oct 2026, 10:01 AM
👁 11
The Election Commission has ordered corrective measures after allegations surfaced that fake voter deletions were made in Karnataka’s Form‑7 row, intensifying an ongoing dispute.
The Election Commission (EC) issued an order directing immediate action to address claims that fictitious voter deletions were recorded in the Form‑7 row of Karnataka’s electoral roll. The directive comes after several political parties and civil society groups raised concerns that the deletions could distort the voter list ahead of upcoming elections.
Form‑7, which records changes to the electoral roll such as deletions and additions, has become the centre of a heated row in Karnataka. Opponents allege that the deletions were fabricated to suppress certain voter segments, while the state election machinery maintains that the changes followed standard verification procedures.
In response, the EC has asked the Karnataka State Election Office to review the contested entries, verify their authenticity, and restore any erroneously removed names. The commission also warned that any proven manipulation could attract penal action under the Representation of the People Act. State officials said they would cooperate fully with the EC’s investigation.
The move is expected to influence the preparation of the final electoral roll, which is due for publication shortly before the state’s next assembly polls.
Form‑7, which records changes to the electoral roll such as deletions and additions, has become the centre of a heated row in Karnataka. Opponents allege that the deletions were fabricated to suppress certain voter segments, while the state election machinery maintains that the changes followed standard verification procedures.
In response, the EC has asked the Karnataka State Election Office to review the contested entries, verify their authenticity, and restore any erroneously removed names. The commission also warned that any proven manipulation could attract penal action under the Representation of the People Act. State officials said they would cooperate fully with the EC’s investigation.
The move is expected to influence the preparation of the final electoral roll, which is due for publication shortly before the state’s next assembly polls.