Mangaluru: Leaders of the Dakshina Kannada District Congress Minority Wing have urged the Deputy Commissioner to register criminal cases against those allegedly misusing SIR Form 7 to seek deletion of minority voters’ names from electoral rolls.
A delegation submitted a complaint to Additional Deputy Commissioner Raju K. at the DC office in Padil on Monday. The Congress leaders alleged that pre-printed Form 7 applications were submitted from BJP offices in Belthangady and Puttur seeking deletion of the names of Muslim and Christian voters.
Congress alleges pre-printed forms submitted
Speaking to reporters, Minority Wing president Shahul Hameed alleged that pre-printed Form 7 applications had been submitted from BJP offices in Belthangady and Puttur.
He claimed that documents were available to support the allegation and demanded that the authorities initiate criminal proceedings against those responsible.
Hameed also urged election authorities to conduct a detailed scrutiny of the Form 7 applications received from different constituencies.
He said particular attention should be given to cases where an unusually large number of applications have allegedly been submitted by the same individual, group or organisation.
294 minority voters allegedly targeted
Hameed claimed that applications linked to BJP-related activity had been found seeking deletion of the names of 275 minority voters in a few booths in Belthangady and 19 minority voters in two booths in Puttur.
According to him, the applications should be verified to determine whether the objections were genuine and supported by the required evidence.
The Congress Minority Wing has called for an investigation into the applications and sought action if any violation of election rules is established.
Congress raises questions over Form 7 applications
Form 7 is used for submitting objections to the inclusion of a person’s name in an electoral roll, including requests for deletion on grounds specified under the election guidelines.
Hameed said the guidelines clearly place responsibility on the applicant to provide evidence supporting the reason cited for deletion.
He alleged that the BJP in the Puttur Assembly constituency had submitted applications to election authorities on party letterhead seeking deletion of the names of minority voters.
The Congress delegation has therefore urged election officials to examine the applications individually and establish whether the applicants had valid grounds and supporting documents for seeking the deletions.
Delegation submits complaint
The delegation included Minority Wing general secretary Alvin Prakash Sikkera, vice-presidents George T.V. and Sabita Miskith, SC/ST Wing district president Dinesh Muluru, treasurer Mohammed Bappalige, former corporator Abdul Rauf and B. Habeebulla Khalid Pulabe.
The allegations made by the Congress Minority Wing are subject to verification by the election authorities. Any action against individuals would depend on the findings of the authorities and the evidence available in the respective Form 7 applications.