Bengaluru: BJP MLC CT Ravi on Thursday alleged that the Congress was opposing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls for political reasons, while arguing that voter-list revision is a statutory process carried out under the Election Commission’s mandate.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP office in Bengaluru, Ravi said intensive revisions of electoral rolls had been conducted at different points since the first general election and that the Election Commission derives its authority from Article 324 of the Constitution and the Representation of the People Act, 1950. The ECI has also said its electoral-roll revision powers are rooted in these legal provisions.
Ravi said the exercise should help identify discrepancies such as duplicate entries, deceased voters and people who have permanently shifted residence. He stressed, however, that names should not be deleted merely because an objection has been filed and that electoral officials must verify the relevant documents before taking a decision.
He said complaints can be filed by political parties or individuals, but verification and decisions on electoral-roll entries rest with the designated election officials. The ECI’s published procedures similarly provide for verification and an opportunity for affected electors to respond before changes are made.
Seeks probe into alleged illegal voters
Ravi also referred to reports alleging the presence of illegal immigrants in parts of Karnataka and called for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to examine whether any such persons had been enrolled as voters.
He said a complaint containing names, serial numbers and polling-station details had been submitted in connection with alleged irregularities in Belagavi North and urged authorities to investigate the claims rather than target those who raised them.
Ravi also referred to Forms 6 and 7, which are used for voter registration and objections/deletions respectively, and called for objections raised during the revision to be examined transparently. He said no eligible voter’s name should be removed on the basis of caste, community or name.
Targets Congress over EVM claims
Ravi also criticised Congress leaders over allegations concerning the possibility of EVM manipulation and challenged the party to establish such claims in court. He said repeated allegations against EVMs and the Election Commission could affect public confidence in electoral institutions.
His remarks come amid an intensifying political dispute over Karnataka’s SIR exercise, with both ruling Congress and opposition parties raising allegations about irregularities at different stages. The Karnataka CEO has maintained that the revision is being conducted in accordance with ECI directions and the law.
Ravi also questioned the Karnataka government’s position on a court-appointed SIT probing alleged KPSC irregularities and alleged that the SIR controversy was diverting attention from issues including the NICE project and KPSC. He said these were political arguments and that the allegations should be established through due investigation.