Karnataka Poll Storm: 3 FIRs Filed Over Bulk Form-7s, Shivakumar Vows to Stay Put at CEO Office Until ECI Probe Ordered

Three First Information Reports (FIRs) have been filed in Karnataka in connection with the bulk submission of Form-7s, which are used to raise objections to entries in the electoral roll. The development comes amid growing political tension, with senior Congress leader D.K. Shivakumar announcing that he will lead a delegation to the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Karnataka, to lodge a formal complaint and will not leave the premises until a probe is ordered.

Form-7 is a crucial tool in the electoral roll revision process, allowing citizens to object to the inclusion of names. The bulk filing of such forms has raised suspicions of attempted manipulation of voter lists. Shivakumar, visibly emotional, demanded an investigation by the Election Commission of India (ECI), underscoring the seriousness of the allegations. The FIRs signal that authorities are treating the matter as a potential criminal offense, though no arrests have been reported yet.

The controversy has significant implications for the integrity of Karnataka's electoral process and could escalate into a broader political confrontation. The ECI has yet to respond to the demand for a probe. If the commission orders an investigation, it may set a precedent for how bulk Form-7 submissions are scrutinized nationwide. Political parties are expected to intensify their positions, and further protests or legal actions are likely in the coming days.