An investigation into Karnataka's electoral records has uncovered a series of irregularities involving the removal of voters from the rolls. Data indicates that at least 37 individuals submitted Form 7 applications requesting the deletion of their own names by citing their own deaths. Furthermore, 334 pairs of voters filed mutual declarations claiming that the other person had died, with these incidents documented across more than 25 districts throughout the state.
Geographically, the issue was most prevalent in Belagavi, which reported 160 such mutual declarations, followed by Kalaburagi with 80 cases. In many of these instances, the individuals involved were registered at the same polling station. Authorities noted that a significant portion of these forms were submitted prior to the commencement of the state's special intensive revision of electoral rolls on June 30.
Election officials are currently conducting a review of these filings to ascertain whether the discrepancies are the result of software glitches encountered during the enumeration process or deeper issues within the electoral database. Specific cases identified in regions including Magadi, Sandur, and Byatarayanapura have shown clear inconsistencies, such as instances where the same individual was listed as both the applicant and the person whose name was slated for removal.
