Mounting pressure on the ruling Congress in Karnataka, the opposition BJP on Saturday lodged a complaint with the Election Commission alleging that the state government was obstructing the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls by misusing Booth Level Officers.
Party state president B Y Vijayendra, along with senior BJP MLA and former Minister S Suresh Kumar met the Chief Electoral Officer on behalf of the party and lodged a complaint.
Later speaking to reporters, Vijayendra alleged that the Election Commission of India has initiated the revision of the electoral rolls in our state with good intentions, but the state government is trying to scuttle this exercise.
He charged that the government was exerting pressure on BLOs instead of allowing them to carry out the revision process as mandated.
"Today, pressure is being exerted on BLOs, and they are being misused," the Shikaripura MLA alleged.
Under the SIR process, officials are supposed to go door to door and complete the exercise, he said.
"However, the BLOs are being made to sit in community halls, marriage halls, in some places in mosques, and in some places even in the offices of MLAs. We have brought such instances to the notice of the Election Commission," Vijayendra said.
He said the BJP had urged the Election Commission to take note of the alleged irregularities and ensure that the electoral roll revision process was conducted in accordance with the prescribed procedure.