Bengaluru, 30 June

Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge once again asked the ECI to answer the 12 questions asked by the Congress government earlier.

These questions or demands by the Karnataka Cabinet last month include:

•           Explanation for every discrepancy criterion, including ‘logical discrepancies’, along with the algorithm or software used.

•           Clarity on admissible documents (eg, Aadhaar), and use Kutumba ID as document proof.

•           Extend enumeration timeline to 3 months.

•           Prohibit voter challenges or notices without a prior field verification.

•           Don’t drop voters over minor spelling errors.

•           Conduct an independent review of the SIR process.

•           Block bulk Form-7 objections and process Form-6 applications alongside it.

•           Make machine-readable daily data publicly accessible.

•           Prohibit opaque AI tools and share all software used.

•           Define the roles of Special Roll Observers and Micro-Observers.

•           Safeguard the rights of women, migrant workers, tribals, transgenders, orphans, etc.

"What we are saying is include everyone who is eligible," Priyank told reporters on Tuesday.  “Let the ECI point out which of our 12 questions is illogical, unconstitutional or illegal. We are ready?”

He asked why the BJP was always responding on behalf of the ECI. “If you ask the Election Commission a question, the BJP answers. If you ask the RSS a question, the BJP answers. Except for matters concerning their own party, they answer everything else. Isn't that strange?"