Karnataka's draft voter list shrinks to 4.46 crore; 1.07 crore names removed

Bengaluru: Karnataka's draft electoral rolls, published on Monday as part of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), now list 4.46 crore voters. Over 1.07 crore names were removed from the previous rolls. According to Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) V. Anbu Kumar, a significant portion of these deletions fall under the category marked 'absent, shifted, duplicate, dead, and others' (ASDDO).

The revised electorate includes more than 2.22 crore males, 2.24 crore females, and 2,871 persons belonging to other gender categories. Voters can verify their names on the CEO's official website.

To address concerns in areas with high ASDDO numbers, the CEO announced a special campaign. During this drive, officials will assist voters in filling Form 6 for inclusion in the electoral rolls. The dates for this campaign are yet to be announced.

As part of the ongoing revision, approximately 43.81 lakh notices will be issued to voters whose enumeration forms contained logical discrepancies or who could not be mapped to a specific location. Notices may also be served if a complaint is filed against a voter, or if the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) has reason to believe a voter is ineligible.

A key concern raised by voters is the lack of prior information about these notices. During the enumeration phase, many were unaware their names were on the ASDDO list until late. Similarly, there is currently no way for individuals to know if a notice will be issued to them until it is generated and served. 'We only have numbers on how many people will receive notices, and the names will not be known until the notice is generated,' the CEO said.

The entire process, from notice generation by the ERO to its delivery, must be completed within seven days. This could pose difficulties for voters residing outside their native constituency, as attendance at the hearing in person is mandatory. At present, there is no online facility to check if a notice is likely to be issued.

The process places the responsibility of protecting one's vote squarely on the voter. Unlike the enumeration phase, where Booth Level Officers (BLOs) handed over forms to family members, this stage requires the voter to appear personally for hearings. Notices may be served to anyone available at the registered address, and while the notice includes a QR code for submitting one of 11 documents online, physical presence at the hearing remains essential.

This requirement could disproportionately affect vulnerable groups, including senior citizens, single mothers, women, labourers, and persons with disabilities. For example, within the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) limits alone, 40,307 voters are above 85 years of age, and 829 are above 100. Additionally, more than 21,400 voters are persons with disabilities.

Following the enumeration phase, the number of polling stations in Karnataka has been rationalised. Each polling station will now accommodate a maximum of 1,200 voters. Where stations exceeded this limit, voters have been shifted to alternate stations within a two-kilometre radius. This has led to the addition of 1,873 polling stations across the State.

Voters who cannot find their names at their usual polling station are advised to search using their EPIC details, which will reflect the updated station if a shift has occurred. They may also check two polling stations before and after their current one.

EROs have been granted full authority to decide on cases involving logical discrepancies. Voters aggrieved by an ERO's decision can appeal to the District Election Officer (DEO) or Deputy Commissioner (DC) within 15 days. If unsatisfied, they may further appeal to the CEO.