Protocol violations alleged as SIR exercise enters third day in Karnataka
Even as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls entered its third day in Karnataka, allegations of violations of the Election Commission’s protocol during
Even as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls entered its third day in Karnataka, allegations of violations of the Election Commission’s protocol during the door-to-door enumeration exercise surfaced from different parts of the State. In one instance, flagged by the Janata Dal (Secular) on its official X handle, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) in Ward No. 23 of the Ramanagara Town Municipal Council were seen conducting what the party described as an SIR camp at a wedding hall instead of undertaking the mandated door-to-door distribution and collection of enumeration forms. “The Election Commission’s rules have been completely thrown to the winds in Ramanagara.
Instead of going door-to-door to verify voter information and distribute forms, the BLOs are organising an ‘SIR Rally’ by gathering every one at a Kalyana Mantapa in Tipu Nagar, Ward No. 23. Is this not an insult to democracy?” the party said in its post, while urging the Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka, and the Election Commission to initiate action against the officials concerned. The party demanded that the Election Commission should suspend those responsible for the irregularity and ensure accountability. Pamphlet distribution? In another incident, a video that went viral on social media purportedly showed a Booth Level Agent (BLA) appointed by the BJP accompanying a BLO during a door-to-door visit.
The video appeared to show the BLA handing over BJP pamphlets to a resident while the BLO was distributing the enumeration form. The resident questioned how election campaigning could take place during the SIR exercise. When contacted, V. Anbu Kumar, Karnataka’s Chief Electoral Officer, said any violation of the Election Commission’s protocol should be brought to the notice of the jurisdictional District Election Officer (DEO). “The DEOs have been authorised to inquire into such complaints and take appropriate action,” he said. Over 1.12 crore forms distributed Meanwhile, the SIR gathered pace in Karnataka, with 1.12 crore enumeration forms distributed to electors in the first three days of the month-long door-to-door exercise.
According to data released by the CEO, Karnataka, 11,265,893 enumeration forms, accounting for 20.32% of the State’s 5,54,32,314 electors, had been distributed as of on July 2 at 6 p.m. Highest in Kalaburgi Among the districts, Kalaburagi recorded the highest distribution of enumeration forms at 7.88 lakh, followed by Davangere (6.50 lakh), Koppal (6.19 lakh), Belagavi (5.26 lakh), Tumakuru (5.15 lakh) and Chitradurga (4.99 lakh).
The BriefWire