Karnataka minister Eshwar Khandre has said the State Election Commission (SEC) would decide which electoral roll to use for local elections after seeking the state government’s opinion. He said there is still confusion over whether the post-Special Intensive Review (SIR) roll will be considered.
“Though the State Election Commission will decide on it, it will seek our opinion. “Ten million names have been deleted. If the same roll is used for the election, it could be embarrassing. The Opposition moving the court cannot be ruled out either. “We do not agree with the way SIR is ongoing. All the voters whose names have been deleted, except for the deceased, should get justice.
Khandre said the Cabinet discussed the electoral roll for the local body elections. A second minister said a Congress-ruled state opting for the post-SIR roll in local body elections could be embarrassing. He said the Congress leadership may also not like the idea. The second minister said the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party and Janata Dal (Secular) could question the credibility of elections if the government recommends using the older roll. Until justice is served, we will continue to fight,” he said.
We will give our inputs then,” Khandre told reporters after a Cabinet meeting on Thursday. On Thursday, chief minister DK Shivakumar reiterated the party’s position against the SIR at a protest against the exercise in Bengaluru.
