Karnataka: B.K. Hariprasad Urges Council to Condemn Election Commission

Speedy Summary

• Congress leader B.K. Hariprasad raised concerns in the Karnataka Legislative council about alleged misuse of electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and manipulation of voter lists by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
• He cited reports claiming voter removal from rolls in areas where communities oppose BJP and its allies, particularly ahead of Bihar Assembly elections.
• Irregularities were highlighted regarding Maharashtra Assembly polls, where voter turnout figures unexpectedly increased by nearly 8 percentage points, raising questions about transparency.
• Allegations were made regarding narrow victory margins in 133 constituencies won by the BJP-led alliance during those elections.
• Calls were made to pass a resolution condemning such practices and forward it to the Union government.
• Agriculture Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy assured that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would be informed about these concerns.

indian Opinion Analysis

Allegations related to EVM misuse and irregularities in voter lists are meaningful as they raise crucial questions about electoral integrity-a cornerstone of any democracy. While Mr. Hariprasad laid out specific examples like unexpected jumps in turnout figures during Maharashtra polls and narrow victory margins favoring one party, verifying these claims is crucial before drawing conclusions.

The demand for a legislative council resolution reflects broader apprehensions over transparency within India’s electoral processes-the implications being not just political but deeply institutional. If substantiated with evidence-such as investigations or audits-concerns might necessitate more stringent safeguards around election data management.

Nevertheless, engaging state-level councils on national elections demonstrates growing advocacy for cleaner democratic processes at a grassroots level-a positive step regardless of partisan divides. Ensuring fair conduct and resolving ambiguities should be prioritized both publicly and institutionally across states like bihar as well as nationally ahead of upcoming critical votes.

Read More: Published August 19, 2025 – Original Link