Voter Deletion Scam Uncovered in Karnataka: BJP Linked to Irregularities

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged voter deletion scam in Aland constituency during the 2023 assembly polls has reportedly uncovered evidence of attempts to remove names from the electoral rolls. The deletion of at least 6,000 votes was allegedly carried out at a cyber centre in Aland, where operators were paid Rs 80 per application. The probe has identified six suspects and suspect one of them paid Rs 4.8 lakh to facilitate the deletions. Officials are probing how the centre gained access to the Election Commission's portal to file fake voter deletion requests.

Key Takeaways:

• At least 6,000 votes were allegedly deleted in Aland constituency during the 2023 assembly polls.
• Deletions took place using voice over internet protocol (VoIP) between December 2022 and February 2023.
• The irregularities have been linked to local resident Mohammed Ashfaq, who is currently in Dubai and a blue corner notice is being processed to locate him.
• A data centre operating out of Kalaburagi systematically deleted voters' names and tampered with the democratic process.
• Former BJP MLA Subhash Guttedar and his associates are being searched for involvement in the scandal.
• Congress accused the BJP of vote theft, calling it a direct assault on democracy.

Statistics:

• Rs 80 per application was paid to operators for deleting votes.
• Rs 4.8 lakh was paid to those who facilitated the deletions.
• 6,994 votes were targeted for deletion, but most were bogus.
• 6,000 votes were allegedly deleted, with the remaining 994 being genuine.
• 7 laptops and several mobile phones were seized from the residences of former BJP MLA Subhash Guttedar and his associates.

Sources:

• A CID official.
• CID sources.
• Priyank Kharge's X post.
• Congress's X post.
• Aland MLA BR Patil's statement.
• Times Content website.