Is There a Case of Voter Deletion in Karnataka's Aland?
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Synopsis
The Election Commission of India has firmly rebutted allegations of voter deletions in Karnataka's Aland Constituency, emphasizing the integrity of the electoral process and the procedures in place to protect eligible voters.
Key Takeaways
- No wrongful deletions of voters in Aland have occurred.
- Only 24 out of 6,018 deletion requests were valid.
- FIR filed due to suspicious activities regarding deletion applications.
- Electoral rolls are prepared according to legal procedures.
- ECI aims to ensure every eligible voter is represented.
New Delhi/Bengaluru, Sep 19 (NationPress) In response to claims made by Rahul Gandhi about the alleged removal of eligible voters in the Aland Assembly Constituency of Karnataka, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has asserted that no voter removal can occur online by any public individual.
Apurva Kumar Singh, Assistant Director of the ECI, emphasized on Friday, "No wrongful deletions of electors have occurred in Aland, and an FIR was filed by the ECI in 2023 regarding suspicious deletion attempts."
He clarified, "While voters may submit Form 7 online to request the deletion of a name from the electoral roll, this does not imply that the entry is automatically removed upon submission of the form."
According to the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, no name can be omitted from the electoral list without notifying the affected individual and offering them a chance to present their case, he explained.
In Aland, a total of 6,018 applications for deletion were made online. Upon verification, only 24 applications were deemed valid, while 5,994 were found to be erroneous. Consequently, 24 applications were approved and the remaining 5,994 were dismissed, as stated by Apurva Kumar Singh.
Given the suspicious nature of such a high volume of deletion requests, an investigation was initiated, leading to the filing of an FIR at the Aland Police Station on February 21, 2023, by the Electoral Registration Officer.
"Following the directives from the ECI, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Karnataka shared all relevant information with the Superintendent of Police, Kalaburagi district, on September 6, 2023, to facilitate the investigation.
This information included details about the objectors such as Form Reference Number, objector's name, EPIC number, login mobile number, contact number for processing, software application used, IP address, applicant's location, form submission date and time, and user creation date," he noted.
The CEO of Karnataka has been providing continuous support to the investigation, including any additional information or documentation, he added.
According to records, the Aland Assembly Constituency was captured by Subhadh Guttedar (BJP) in 2018, and B. R. Patil (INC) in 2023, he pointed out.
In a related case from Rajura, Chandrapur, Maharashtra, a total of 7,792 applications for new voter registration were submitted. After verification, 6,861 applications were found invalid and were rejected.
Given the high number of questionable addition applications, the Electoral Registration Officer of Rajura conducted an inquiry, resulting in a case being filed at the Rajura Police Station.
"Electoral Rolls are established in accordance with legal provisions, and any changes, removals, or inclusions in the Electoral Roll can always be executed as per established legal procedures. The Election Commission of India strives to ensure that every eligible voter is included in the Electoral Roll while preventing the enrollment of ineligible individuals," stated Apurva Kumar Singh.
Point of View
It's imperative to uphold the integrity of the electoral process. The Election Commission of India's commitment to transparency and due process in handling voter registrations and deletions exemplifies the nation's dedication to fair elections. We stand resolutely behind the principles of democracy, ensuring that every citizen's voice is heard and safeguarded.
NationPress
20/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
How many deletion applications were submitted in Aland?
A total of 6,018 applications for deletion were submitted in Aland.
What was the outcome of the deletion applications?
Out of 6,018 applications, only 24 were found to be valid, while 5,994 were rejected.
What action did the ECI take regarding suspicious applications?
An FIR was filed at the Aland Police Station due to suspicions surrounding the high number of deletion applications.
Can voters delete their names online?
Voters can submit Form 7 online to request deletion, but this does not ensure automatic removal from the electoral roll.
What does the ECI do to maintain electoral integrity?
The ECI follows legal procedures for corrections and ensures that every eligible voter is enrolled while ineligible individuals are not.
