Voter data theft case in Bengaluru: Close to a lakh additions, deletions to be scrutinised

As per the draft electoral roll details provided by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), there are 1.91 lakh voters in Shivajinagar, 2.1 lakh in Chickpet and 5.64 lakh in Mahadevapura

The Special Commissioners who have been appointed by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to oversee the purity of electoral rolls in three Assembly constituencies in the city may have to sanitise more than 35,000 additions and over 64,000 deletions in the list.

Following serious allegations theft of voter data by an NGO — Chilume Educational and Rural Development Trust — and reports of private individuals allegedly using identity cards of booth level officials, the ECI, on Friday, appointed three senior IAS officers for overseeing and ensuring purity of electoral rolls in three constituencies: Shivajinagar, Chickpet and Mahadevpura.

Sources said, “As per the directions of the ECI, complete electoral rolls with additions and deletions will be shared with recognised political parties so that they can file claims and objections. Let them verify independently at the booth level. The officials concerned will also independently verify additions and deletions at the booth level.”

“If someone’s name is wrongly deleted, we will reach out to the citizen concerned and request him or her to submit form 6 to take corrective measures. In addition to this, the general public can also check their names in the electoral rolls. In case of any discrepancies, such grievances will be attended to,” the source added.

The official added that in future, a robust mechanism will be put in place to make verification and approval without giving scope for wrong doings or mistakes.

In a press release issued on Friday, the ECI had stated that there will be 100% check of the deletions and additions in the electoral rolls after January 1, 2022, in these three constituencies. The period of claims and objections under Special Summary Revision (SSR) has been extended up to December 24.

As per the draft electoral roll details provided by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), there are 1.91 lakh voters in Shivajinagar, 2.1 lakh in Chickpet and 5.64 lakh in Mahadevapura.