Karnataka CM Shivakumar seeks FIR over alleged voter deletion plot via pre-filled Form 7
Synopsis
Karnataka CM D.K. Shivakumar has formally demanded FIRs over what the government describes as a coordinated attempt to wipe SC, ST, OBC and minority voters off electoral rolls using pre-filled Form 7 applications — with thousands of bulk filings in single constituencies and a named BJP candidate cited in the complaint. The State CEO is yet to respond.
Key Takeaways
Shivakumar submitted a representation to State CEO Anbukumar on 1 October 2026 , demanding FIRs over alleged voter deletion via pre-filled Form 7 .
The alleged targets are voters from minority communities, SC, ST, and OBC backgrounds.
Bulk filings were reported in multiple constituencies, including 6,259 applications in Mudigere and 3,000 in Belagavi North .
Voter names and EPIC numbers were reportedly pre-printed on the forms, raising concerns about unauthorised access to electoral data.
Defeated BJP candidate Ravi B.
Patil was named in the complaint in connection with filings through his associates.
The representation demands a time-bound inquiry, constituency-wise analysis, and immediate registration of FIRs .
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Thursday, 1 October 2026, led a delegation of Cabinet colleagues to the office of the State Election Commission in Gandhinagar, Bengaluru, submitting a formal representation to State Chief Electoral Officer Anbukumar, demanding that criminal cases be registered against those allegedly behind a coordinated attempt to delete legitimate voters from electoral rolls using pre-filled Form 7 applications. The alleged targets, according to the representation, are voters belonging to minority communities, Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC).
What the Representation Alleges
The representation submitted by Chief Minister Shivakumar flags a pattern of bulk Form 7 filings — particularly concentrated in the final days of the claims and objections window, including 22, 23, and 24 September. According to the letter, the scale and coordination of these filings raise serious questions about organised intent.
Specific constituency-level figures cited in the letter include approximately 3,000 Form 7 applications in Belagavi North Assembly Constituency, 6,259 in Mudigere, 1,373 in Babaleshwar, 1,200 in Narasimha Raj, and 2,285 in Bhalki — besides similarly large numbers in other constituencies, according to the Chief Minister's letter.
The Pre-Filled Forms Concern
A central allegation in the representation is that in several cases, voters' names, EPIC numbers, and other particulars appeared to have been pre-printed on Form 7 applications, with only the objector's details subsequently filled in. This, the representation argues, points to possible unauthorised access to electoral data — raising questions about how such sensitive voter information was obtained and used.
The letter also sought scrutiny of individuals who reportedly filed unusually large numbers of objections and their alleged political affiliations. It specifically referenced public statements purportedly made by a defeated BJP candidate, Ravi B. Patil, regarding Form 7 filings made through his associates, and sought examination of relevant applications and video footage in that connection.
What the CM Said
In his letter to CEO Anbukumar, Chief Minister Shivakumar stated: 'As the Chief Minister of Karnataka it is my bounden duty to protect the rights of every eligible voter in the state and to ensure that the electoral revision process is conducted in a free, fair, transparent and legally compliant manner. No eligible citizen, irrespective of religion, caste, community or social background, should be deprived of the right to remain on the electoral roll.'
He added that the scale and manner of the filings were 'a matter of serious concern.'
Key Demands Made to the CEO
The representation called for a time-bound investigation, a constituency-wise analysis of all Form 7 filings, verification of the source and possible misuse of voter data, and an examination of whether any political organisations or individuals coordinated the filings. It also demanded immediate registration of FIRs and appropriate criminal action against those found responsible.
Who Was Present
Senior Congress figures accompanied the Chief Minister, including Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President B.K. Hariprasad, Ministers Priyank Kharge, S.S. Mallikarjun, Eshwar Khandre, and M.B. Patil, BDA Chairman N.A. Haris, and former Legislative Council Chairman V.R. Sudarshan, among others.
The State Chief Electoral Officer is yet to issue an official response to the demands. The matter is being closely watched ahead of the next phase of electoral roll revision in Karnataka.
Point of View
Concentrated in the final 72 hours of the objections window — is not easy to dismiss as coincidence. If the pre-filled EPIC number claim is verified, it points to a data-access breach at minimum and a coordinated disenfranchisement attempt at worst. The Congress government's move to publicly name a defeated BJP candidate and demand FIRs escalates this from an administrative complaint into a political confrontation ahead of future elections. The CEO's response — or silence — will define whether Karnataka's electoral apparatus can credibly self-police. The broader question, which mainstream coverage is glossing over, is systemic: how was voter data granular enough to pre-fill individual EPIC numbers made available outside authorised channels?
NationPress
1 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Karnataka voter deletion controversy about?
Karnataka CM D.K. Shivakumar has alleged that thousands of Form 7 applications — used to seek deletion of names from electoral rolls — were filed in bulk, with voters' details pre-printed, specifically targeting voters from minority, SC, ST, and OBC communities. He has demanded that the State Chief Electoral Officer register FIRs against those responsible.
What is Form 7 and why does it matter here?
Form 7 is an official Election Commission form that allows a person to object to the inclusion of another person's name on the electoral roll. In this case, the allegation is that thousands of such forms were pre-filled with genuine voters' names and EPIC numbers and filed in bulk during the final days of the claims and objections period, potentially to remove legitimate voters from the rolls.
Which constituencies saw the highest number of suspicious Form 7 filings?
According to the Chief Minister's letter, approximately 6,259 Form 7 applications were filed in Mudigere constituency, around 3,000 in Belagavi North, 2,285 in Bhalki, 1,373 in Babaleshwar, and 1,200 in Narasimha Raj, besides large numbers in other constituencies.
Who has been named in the complaint?
The representation specifically references public statements allegedly made by defeated BJP candidate Ravi B. Patil regarding Form 7 applications filed through his associates, and seeks examination of relevant applications and video footage related to his statements.
What action has the government demanded from the Chief Electoral Officer?
The government has demanded a time-bound investigation, a constituency-wise analysis of all Form 7 filings, verification of how voter data was accessed, examination of whether political organisations coordinated the filings, and immediate registration of FIRs with criminal action against those responsible.
