After complaints, GBA extends deadline to file claims, objections to draft voters’ list to March 20

The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has extended the deadline for citizens to submit claims and objections to the revised draft voters’ list for the upcoming elections to five city corporations under its jurisdiction until March 20. 

The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has extended the deadline for citizens to submit claims and objections to the revised draft voters’ list for the upcoming elections to five city corporations under its jurisdiction to March 20. 

Citizens were initially allowed to submit claims and objections between March 10 and March 16 after the ward-wise revised draft voters’ list was published on March 9. However, following a meeting with representatives of political parties and feedback from the public, the GBA sought an extension from the Karnataka State Election Commission, which subsequently approved the request. 

The draft voters’ list covers 369 wards across the five city corporations under the GBA. According to the list, the elections will have 8,024 polling stations and a total electorate of 88,92,528 voters. Previously, the voter count stood at 88,91,411, according to the civic body. 

Officials said the earlier deadline of March 16 had already come under scrutiny after several complaints from citizens and political parties that voters’ names were not appearing in the wards where they reside. During a recent meeting, the public as well as representatives from political parties pointed out that the seven-day window for filing claims and objections was insufficient and could make it difficult for officials to properly verify corrections. 

Following these concerns, the Commission allowed the extension to March 20 to give voters additional time to verify their details and submit corrections, GBA officials said.