K’taka: Basavaraj Bommai seeks suspension of Tehsildars, BLOs over SIR ‘violations’

Gadag, July 4 (IANS) Former Karnataka Chief Minister and MP Basavaraj Bommai on Saturday alleged that large-scale irregularities were taking place in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls due to the state government’s interference and demanded the immediate suspension of officials allegedly involved in the process.

Addressing reporters in Gadag, Bommai claimed that tahsildars, village accountants, teachers and Booth Level Officers (BLOs) were directly participating in the alleged irregularities under pressure and inducements from the state government.

“The officials responsible in all constituencies where such irregularities have taken place should be suspended immediately and replaced with new officers,” he demanded.

Bommai alleged that in Bankapur under the Shiggaon Assembly constituency, Booth No. 191, BLOs and other election staff were preparing electoral rolls inside the Dodda Devara Mosque rather than conducting house-to-house verification.

“We have already submitted a complaint along with video evidence. Despite that, they continue to carry out the same activities without any fear,” he alleged.

Calling for strict action, Bommai urged the Election Commission to suspend the tahsildars and other officials allegedly involved and appoint new officers to oversee the revision process. He also demanded the formation of special inspection squads in every district to conduct surprise checks and issue immediate suspension orders wherever irregularities are detected.

The BJP leader further alleged that duplicate entries were being made in the electoral rolls by including the same individual multiple times.

“Even after mapping, duplicate names continue to remain in the rolls. Such irregularities are being carried out by changing the date of birth or the father’s or husband’s name,” he claimed.

Bommai said he had warned at the very beginning that the state government was attempting to manipulate the electoral rolls.

“Such attempts to deprive eligible voters of their democratic rights are a serious setback to democracy. The Deputy Commissioners of Gadag and Haveri districts must take direct responsibility for these irregularities,” he said.

He maintained that the Election Commission’s prescribed procedure requires Booth Level Officers to visit every household and verify official documents, such as voter identity cards, Aadhaar cards, or ration cards, before updating the electoral rolls.

“Instead of visiting every house, BLOs are sitting in mosques or Kalyana Mantapas in groups and scanning documents of selected individuals. This directly encourages irregularities,” he alleged.

Bommai further argued that preparing electoral rolls at centralised locations rather than conducting door-to-door verification increased the likelihood of excluding eligible voters.

He said the state election machinery was not functioning effectively at the grassroots level and urged the Chief Electoral Officer of Karnataka to treat the issue with utmost seriousness. “Officials and staff who are violating the prescribed rules and engaging in irregular practices should be suspended immediately,” he demanded.

Bommai also alleged that Deputy Commissioners were unable to function independently because they were working under pressure from ministers and the state government and feared transfers.

“When discrepancies are found even in the electoral records of senior political leaders, one can imagine the situation of ordinary citizens. If officials fail to discharge their responsibilities honestly, it will undermine the very spirit of democracy,” he said.

–IANS

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