Belagavi schoolchildren allegedly used in voter roll exercise; DC orders probe

Belagavi: A controversy has erupted over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls after allegations surfaced that schoolchildren were used to assist with the enumeration process at a govt school in Gokak taluk.Deputy commissioner Mohammad Roshan has ordered an inquiry after videos purportedly showing students helping booth-level officers (BLOs) during the exercise went viral on social media.The alleged incident was reported from Govt Kannada Higher Primary School in Maradimutt village of Gokak taluk on Tuesday. According to the allegations, a BLO had called villagers to the school premises to distribute and collect enumeration forms as part of the electoral roll revision process.

Schoolchildren were allegedly asked to assist in filling out the forms.Taking note of the incident, DC Roshan issued a showcause notice to the Gokak tahsildar seeking an explanation. He said strict action would be taken if the inquiry finds any lapse or violation of Election Commission guidelines.Speaking to TOI, Roshan said a showcause notice had already been issued to the tahsildar and action would be initiated against the concerned BLO if the allegations were found to be true.

“The BLO’s responsibility is to ensure that enumeration forms reach every household personally. If a BLO gets this work done through someone else, action, including suspension, will be taken immediately,” he said.Roshan clarified that family members, including children, can assist voters in filling out forms at home or elsewhere. “There is nothing wrong if children help their parents or elders fill out the forms.

The responsibility of filling and submitting the forms lies with family members. Even political party representatives can collect forms and hand them over to BLOs,” he said.However, he termed the alleged conduct of the BLO at the school inappropriate. “In this case, the BLO was sitting with schoolchildren and asking them to help voters fill out the forms. Conducting such an exercise on school premises and involving children in the official process is wrong,” the DC said.The incident comes amid an ongoing political row over the SIR of electoral rolls in Karnataka, with opposition parties already questioning the manner in which the revision exercise is being carried out.