Congress Raises Alarm Over Potential Disenfranchisement of 84 Lakh Voters in Karnataka

The Congress party in Karnataka has expressed serious concerns regarding the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of the electoral rolls, alleging that over 84 lakh voters may be at risk of being struck off the lists without adequate verification processes. This claim raises alarm bells about the potential disenfranchisement of thousands of legitimate voters in the state.

According to reports, the party has indicated that data from electoral authorities indicates that around 84.31 lakh voters, out of a total of 5.54 crore registered voters, have been identified for deletion under categories such as absent, shifted, deceased, and duplicate during a door-to-door verification conducted by booth-level officers. This figure constitutes approximately 15% of the electorate prior to the initiation of the revision process.

In response to the allegations, Karnataka’s Chief Electoral Officer, V Anbukkumar, firmly rejected claims of mass deletions, insisting that voters categorized under the aforementioned headings would not be automatically removed. He emphasized that the verification process is ongoing and that systematic checks are being implemented to ensure the integrity of the electoral rolls.

The Congress party has formally petitioned the Chief Electoral Officer, urging the need for a second round of physical verification before proceeding with any deletions. They have requested that no elector’s name be removed based solely on a single house visit or incomplete verification, advocating for adequate notice and a fair opportunity for every affected voter prior to finalizing any deletions.

This debate highlights the critical issue of voter rights and the importance of a transparent electoral process in India, where every vote counts. As the revision exercise progresses, the Congress party’s concerns underscore the necessity for thorough checks to ensure that genuine voters are not unjustly removed from the rolls, reinforcing the democratic ethos of the state.

Source: scroll.in