The BJD claims that Form-7 is being misused to target minority voters and requests the CEO to take action.

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD), the opposition party in Bhubaneswar, has expressed concern about the ongoing SIR exercise and its potential misuse of Form-7. This form is used to object to the inclusion or deletion of names from the electoral roll and the BJD has alleged that it is being used to target minority voters. In a memorandum submitted to the Chief Electoral Officer, the BJD State Minority Cell has raised complaints from various parts of Odisha, stating that genuine electors, particularly those from minority communities, are being targeted with Form-7 applications.

The BJD has requested the Chief Electoral Officer to take immediate and strict action against any misuse of Form-7 during the ongoing SIR exercise. They have also emphasized that any proposals for deletion of names from the electoral roll after the August 19 deadline must follow the prescribed legal procedure. The party has made it clear that no genuine elector should be deleted without proper notice and an opportunity to present their case.

They have also urged the CEO to direct officials to exercise caution, especially in areas with a significant minority population. The BJD has demanded special scrutiny of Form-7 applications and deletion proposals received after the August 19 deadline. They have also requested constituency and booth-wise verification of these applications in areas with a substantial minority population.

The party has stressed on the importance of taking immediate corrective action if it is found that a genuine elector's name has been wrongly deleted. In light of these concerns, the BJD has called for transparent and impartial verification of electoral records during the ongoing SIR exercise. They have urged the Chief Electoral Officer to ensure that no genuine elector is disenfranchised and that the rights of all eligible citizens, including those from minority communities, are protected.

The BJD has also highlighted the need for greater caution and scrutiny in areas with a significant minority population to prevent any misuse of the electoral process.