Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer V. Anbu Kumar has announced a review of constituencies showing abnormal ASDDO numbers. In Bengaluru, several areas report over 40% of voters in the 'Absent, Shifted, Duplicate, Dead, and Others' category.

Key Takeaways

  • At least nine Bengaluru constituencies have over 40% of voters in the ASDDO category.
  • CEO V. Anbu Kumar ordered a review of areas with anomalous data.
  • Congress has raised concerns over 80 lakh electors being categorized under ASDDO.
  • Reports suggest Booth Level Officers (BLOs) may not have followed standard verification protocols.

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) V. Anbu Kumar announced on Wednesday that areas reporting unusually high or low numbers of voters under the “Absent, Shifted, Duplicate, Dead and Others” (ASDDO) category will undergo a formal review. This move comes amidst growing concerns regarding the massive classification of voters in several Assembly constituencies.

The Bengaluru Data Disparity

The scale of classification in Bengaluru is significant. At least nine Assembly constituencies have reported that more than 40% of their electorate falls under the ASDDO category. Notably, not a single constituency in the city reported a figure below 30%. Areas like Basavanagudi and Bommanahalli recorded the highest proportions, with over 47% of voters categorized this way.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that such high concentrations of 'missing' or 'shifted' voters in specific zones, such as BBMP South, can lead to significant shifts in electoral outcomes. If legitimate voters are erroneously removed, it undermines the very foundation of representative democracy.

The integrity of the electoral roll is paramount; any discrepancy in voter categorization can lead to widespread disenfranchisement.

While the CEO maintained that every classification is backed by documentary evidence or field reports, discrepancies in field implementation have surfaced. Many Booth Level Officers (BLOs) admitted that the mandatory procedure of making three physical visits and using verification stickers was not uniformly followed.

Political Reaction and Procedural Gaps

The Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee has expressed serious alarm, submitting a representation stating that over 80 lakh electors have been placed under the ASDDO category. The party is demanding a second round of physical verification and the establishment of facilitation centers for corrections to ensure no genuine voter is deleted based on incomplete verification.

Did You Know?: Under Election Commission guidelines, a BLO must conduct at least three physical visits to a residence before marking a voter as 'shifted' or 'absent'.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does the ASDDO category signify?
It stands for voters categorized as Absent, Shifted, Duplicate, Dead, or Others.

2. Can a voter correct their status if they are wrongly marked?
Yes, voters can submit a prescribed form to the election authorities to correct their details before the final roll is published.