Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], October 1 (ANI): Launching a fierce attack over the alleged mass deletion of legitimate voters, Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, accompanied by six cabinet ministers, met Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) V Anbukkumar on Thursday, demanding the immediate registration of an FIR and a time-bound criminal investigation into the alleged bulk submission of fraudulent Form 7 objections during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.

Shivakumar was accompanied by ministers Lakshman Savadi, Madhu Bangarappa, Shivalinge gowda, Priyank Kharge.

Addressing the media following the high-level meeting, Shivakumar termed the exercise a brazen act of 'vote chori' (vote theft) orchestrated by the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (Secular) [JD(S)], accusing them of attempting to 'backstab democracy.'

'This type of criminal activity and a big conspiracy is coming from the Janata Dal and BJP. They are not ordinary people; they are the country's biggest criminals who are trying to steal the voters-vote chori-how they are doing vote chori. In constituency after constituency-especially where senior ministers represent the seat or where we won by huge margins-they are trying to delete 10,000 to 20,000 votes. How can they backstab democracy like this? Why did the Congress party bring freedom? Why did we give this Constitution? This is a massive question before the entire country,' the Chief Minister said.

In a formal representation submitted to the CEO, Shivakumar sought a booth-wise and constituency-wise investigation into an alarming surge of Form 7 objection forms filed in the final days of the claims and objections window, particularly between September 22 and 24.

According to the memorandum, bulk objections were lodged in several assembly segments, including 6,259 in Mudigere, approximately 3,000 in Belagavi North, 2,285 in Bhalki, 1,373 in Babaleshwar, and 1,200 in Narasimharaja in Mysuru. The Chief Minister alleged that voters belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes (OBCs), and minority communities were disproportionately and selectively targeted.

Raising serious concerns over data security and unauthorised access to the Election Commission's database, Shivakumar questioned how objectors obtained pre-printed forms bearing electors' sensitive personal details.

'How can a confidential document be leaked? I do not even know the EPIC numbers of my own family members. Yet, all details, addresses, and EPIC numbers have been pre-printed on forms and sent across all 224 constituencies,' Shivakumar said, drawing parallels to the previous 'Chilume' electoral data controversy.

The Chief Minister cited instances in Ballari and Bijapur where thousands of forms were hastily submitted and subsequently retracted after public scrutiny. He also highlighted video recordings and public statements where local BJP functionaries allegedly admitted to mobilising associates to file bulk deletion forms.

Shivakumar maintained that despite an official cabinet meeting scheduled for the afternoon, protecting voters' franchise remained his paramount constitutional obligation.

'The Election Commission has asked for time and is conducting a video conference with all Deputy Commissioners to take stock of the situation. But I cannot leave until I am satisfied with the concrete action taken. The Deputy Commissioners must be directed to file criminal cases wherever these illegalities have occurred. I will wait until justice is delivered,' he asserted.

Further, in a statement from CMO, Shivakumar said, 'It is very unfortunate to speak to you about the right to vote and the right to live. The entire country is shaking over this SIR issue. A big gang, some BJP leaders, is trying to delete your names through this SIR process. Form 7 has been used. Already, more than 50 lakh voters have disappeared from this list, and many of them have to file their objections.  Form 7 was being submitted in bulk to target voters, particularly from minority, backwards-class, Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities. I have sought data from police authorities, deputy commissioners, and the state election officer.' (ANI)