Vinod M Jain
A National Democratic Alliance (NDA) delegation led by Union Ministers H.D.Kumaraswamy and Pralhad Joshi submitted a representation to Chief Election Commissioner,Gyanesh Kumar,alleging large-scale irregularities and misuse of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Karnataka.
The delegation alleged that the Congress government in the State was misusing the administrative machinery, including some Deputy Commissioners, to manipulate the electoral rolls and retain ineligible names while influencing the revision process.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting,Mr. Kumaraswamy said the delegation had presented detailed documents highlighting the alleged irregularities in the SIR exercise.
According to him,the Chief Election Commissioner assured the delegation that the complaints would be examined thoroughly.
Mr.Kumaraswamy said the delegation had urged the Election Commission to appoint an officer from outside Karnataka to supervise the SIR exercise and ensure a fair and transparent revision of the electoral rolls.
He added that the Commission had already deputed observers to the State to monitor the process.
The NDA also requested the Commission to scrap the SIR exercise conducted over the past seven days and restart the process,alleging serious procedural lapses.
It further claimed that the State government was conducting large-scale voter enrolment and revision camps at community halls,marriage halls and other locations in violation of Election Commission guidelines.
The delegation also alleged that people were being misled with fears that government welfare guarantees could be affected if they did not participate in the revision process.
It urged the Election Commission to ensure that the electoral roll revision was carried out strictly in accordance with its guidelines.
Mr. Kumaraswamy further alleged that illegal immigrants from Bangladesh had obtained fake identity documents, including Aadhaar and voter identity cards,and demanded that such names be identified and removed from the electoral rolls.
The delegation included Union Minister,V.Somanna, Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly,R. Ashoka,Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council,Chalavadi Narayanaswamy,JDS Legislature Party leader,C.B.Suresh Babu,MPs,Mallesh Babu and Kota Srinivas Poojary,former Minister,Bandepa Kashempur,and MLA,Arvind Bellad,among others.
The allegations made by the NDA have not been independently verified,and there was no immediate response from the Karnataka government or the Election Commission.
