BENGALURU, Oct. 7 -- Five days after the Election Commission directed Karnataka's election officials to examine false Form 7 applications and take legal action where required, eight police cases have been registered over alleged attempts to delete voters from electoral rolls.

However, the FIR details showed that none were initiated by an Electoral Registration Officer (ERO), creating a gap between the police investigations and action under the electoral law governing false declarations.

Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, makes knowingly making a false statement or declaration during the preparation, revision or correction of electoral rolls a punishable offence, carrying up to one year in jail, a fine, or both.

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