Form 7 objections rise by 19,376 in four days during SIR in Karnataka

The number of Form 7 applications objecting to the proposed inclusion or seeking deletion of names from Karnataka’s electoral rolls rose by 19,376 between October 4 and 8, taking the cumulative number received since June 16 to 1,10,654, according to data released by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) on Friday.

The increase comes as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls enters its final phase, with October 22 set as the last date for disposal of claims, objections and notices. The final electoral roll is scheduled to be published on October 27.

The CEO’s press note on Friday listed 1,10,654 Form 7 applications received between June 16 and October 8. The corresponding figure for October 4 was 91,278, indicating an increase of 19,376 in four days.

The Form 7 is used to object to the proposed inclusion of a name or seek deletion of a name from the existing electoral roll. The increase in applications comes amid concerns over the alleged attempts to arbitrarily delete names from a particular community during the SIR exercise through submission of forms in bulk.

Reference to ‘proposed inclusion’ missing

The Friday’s press note does not include the earlier press notes’ statement that the number of objections to “proposed inclusion” was nil.

The distinction is significant because the wording refers to objections being raised against the proposed inclusion of names in the electoral roll, even before names of people deleted during the revision process could be added back. It is whether the CEO’s office has stopped reporting the figure separately or whether there has been a change in the data being disclosed.

The latest release also states that district-wise details of claims and objections received from the public, including Forms 9, 10, 11, 11A and 11B, have been published on the CEO’s website.

Notice process nearing deadline

The press note said 43,82,315 notices had been generated across Karnataka, of which 43,73,745 had been delivered as of October 9. A total of 40,88,099 hearings had been completed, while 2,85,646 remained pending.

The last hearing is scheduled for October 12, and the final date for disposal of claims, objections and notices is October 22.

Karnataka had 4,51,61,393 electors as of October 9, comprising 2,24,03,422 men, 2,27,55,113 women and 2,858 third-gender electors, the release said.