JD(S) leader and former MLA K.B. Prasanna Kumar has called for an Election Commission probe into a massive spike of over 40,000 voters in the Shivamogga constituency between 2013 and 2018.

  • A sudden increase of 40,436 voters was recorded in Shivamogga between 2013 and 2018.
  • Former MLA K.B. Prasanna Kumar alleges a conspiracy to manipulate electoral outcomes.
  • Recent revisions show over 56,000 voters are untraceable, shifted, or deceased.

The integrity of the electoral process in the Shivamogga assembly constituency has come under intense scrutiny. Former MLA and Janata Dal (Secular) leader K.B. Prasanna Kumar has formally urged the Election Commission to investigate what he describes as an "abnormal" and suspicious surge in the number of registered voters between 2013 and 2018.

During a press conference held on Thursday, Mr. Prasanna Kumar presented a comparative analysis of voter data. In 2013, when he secured the seat on a Congress ticket, the voter count stood at 2,15,937. However, by the 2018 elections, this number had skyrocketed to 2,56,373—representing a massive increase of 40,436 voters in just five years. In contrast, the growth seen in the 2023 election was a much more standard 4,384 voters.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that sudden, massive influxes in voter rolls without corresponding demographic shifts can be a red flag for electoral malpractice. Such discrepancies can potentially alter the outcome of high-stakes elections, undermining the principle of 'one person, one vote.'

The former legislator pointed out that this surge occurred right before the 2018 election, in which he was defeated by the former BJP Minister K.S. Eshwarappa. He suggested that the sudden addition of tens of thousands of names might have played a decisive role in that electoral outcome.

"The Election Commission must probe the sudden increase in the number of voters and take strict action against those responsible for such irregularities."

Mr. Prasanna Kumar’s allegations are bolstered by the findings of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR). The draft electoral roll released by the district administration reveals a staggering 56,432 voters categorized as Absent, Shift, Duplicate, or Dead (ASDD). This includes 11,575 untraceable voters and 29,967 individuals who have permanently shifted out of the area.

Historical Background

This is not an isolated suspicion in Karnataka's political landscape. Mr. Prasanna Kumar noted that similar "abnormal increases" were observed in other constituencies, such as Chamundeshwari in Mysuru, during the same period. Notably, the incumbent Chief Minister Siddaramaiah suffered an electoral defeat in Chamundeshwari in 2018, leading to similar debates regarding voter list accuracy.

Did You Know?: Electoral rolls undergo periodic 'Special Intensive Revisions' to purge deceased, duplicate, or moved voters to ensure the sanctity of the democratic process.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the specific discrepancy alleged by K.B. Prasanna Kumar?
He alleges an abnormal increase of 40,436 voters in the Shivamogga constituency between the 2013 and 2018 elections.

2. What do the current SIR findings suggest?
The current revision shows that over 56,000 voters are either deceased, untraceable, or have permanently shifted from the constituency.