Karnataka CEO Issues Notices to 35 BLOs Over SIR Irregularities
Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Wednesday stated that the Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer's notices to 35 Booth Level Officers (BLOs) serve as concrete evidence of irregularities during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The notices, issued following a review of the SIR process, have prompted the minister to call for stringent action by the Election Commission (EC).
Evidence of Irregularities
Kumaraswamy, who has been vocal about discrepancies in voter list updates, asserted that the notices confirm what his party had been alleging. 'We provided sufficient material for the EC to take action and issue directions to the BLOs and district magistrates,' he said, attributing the development to persistent efforts by his team. The SIR, aimed at cleansing electoral rolls of duplicate and ineligible entries, has been a contentious issue in Karnataka.
Impact and Next Steps
The notices to 35 BLOs mark a significant escalation in the ongoing scrutiny of electoral roll revisions. Kumaraswamy emphasized that this validates the need for a thorough investigation and corrective measures. The EC is expected to review the findings and may issue further directives to ensure transparency in the electoral process. Political analysts view this as a critical move ahead of upcoming elections in the state.
