Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer V Anbukkumar on Thursday night ordered election officials to initiate legal proceedings against people who knowingly submit false claims or objections regarding changes to electoral rolls.
The order comes as chief minister DK Shivakumar staged an protest alleging an organised effort to remove voters through Form 7 applications during the Special Intensive Revision.
In a circular sent to district election officers and Electoral Registration Officers in all 224 Assembly constituencies, Anbukkumar said his office had received reports of bulk Form 7 applications and allegations that some of the applications were not genuine.
“It has come to the notice of this office that there are instances of filing of bulk applications in Form 7 before the EROs. It is also alleged that such forms are not genuine,” the circular said.
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The CEO directed EROs to take action against applicants who knowingly make false statements or declarations in Forms 6, 6A, 7 and 8 under Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. Such action, the circular said, must follow an inquiry under Rule 20 of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.
The circular does not link the alleged bulk applications to any political party. It instead instructs election officials to establish through inquiry whether claims or objections were knowingly false before taking legal action.
The directive...
Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer V Anbukkumar on Thursday night ordered election officials to initiate legal proceedings against people who knowingly submit false claims or objections regarding ch...