Bengaluru Central Sees Repeated Voter Roll Issues, High Rejection
In a disturbing trend, the Bengaluru Central constituency has been plagued by repeated irregularities in its electoral rolls since 2017. The constituency, which includes the emerging tech hub of Mahadevapura, has witnessed a slew of issues including deletions, omissions, and duplications, making it challenging for citizens to exercise their right to vote. Moreover, online voter applications have faced unusually high rejection rates, raising concerns about the efficacy of the electoral process.
According to a report by The South First, over 66% of online applications were rejected between 2012 and 2018 in Mahadevapura, which falls under the Bengaluru Central constituency. This staggering figure is a testament to the scale of the problem and highlights the need for urgent action to rectify the situation.
The first reported instance of irregularities in the electoral rolls was in 2017, when multiple voters in the constituency complained of missing names and duplicates on the electoral rolls. The issue was compounded by the fact that many voters were unable to register online, leading to widespread frustration and disillusionment.
Despite assurances from the Election Commission of India (ECI) to address the issue, the problem persisted. In 2018, the ECI launched a special drive to update the electoral rolls, but the effort was marred by reports of deletions and omissions. Thousands of voters were left off the rolls, leading to concerns about the integrity of the electoral process.
The situation in Mahadevapura is particularly concerning, given its status as a rapidly growing tech hub. With thousands of new residents moving into the area every year, the constituency’s electoral rolls should be regularly updated to reflect these changes. However, the high rejection rate of online applications suggests that the process is broken.
So, what is causing these issues? There are several factors at play. One major concern is the lack of transparency in the electoral roll updating process. The ECI’s process of updating electoral rolls relies heavily on self-declarations by voters, which can lead to errors and inaccuracies. Furthermore, the lack of a centralized database has resulted in duplication and omission of names.
Another major issue is the lack of resources and infrastructure to handle the massive influx of new voters in growing areas like Mahadevapura. With inadequate staff and infrastructure, the electoral authorities are struggling to keep pace with the rapid growth, leading to errors and delays.
The consequences of these issues are far-reaching. Not only do they undermine the integrity of the electoral process, but they also disenfranchise thousands of voters who are unable to exercise their right to vote. Moreover, the high rejection rate of online applications is a significant obstacle to the proliferation of online voting, which could revolutionize the electoral process.
So, what can be done to address these issues? First and foremost, the ECI needs to prioritize transparency and accountability in the electoral roll updating process. This can be achieved by implementing a centralized database and ensuring that all updates are made publicly available.
Secondly, the electoral authorities need to increase their resources and infrastructure to handle the growing number of voters. This includes hiring more staff, investing in technology, and setting up dedicated teams to handle the influx of new voters.
Finally, the government needs to take concrete steps to address the issue of high rejection rates. This can be achieved by simplifying the online application process, reducing the number of requirements for voter registration, and providing adequate support to voters who are struggling to register.
In conclusion, the repeated voter roll issues and high rejection rates in Bengaluru Central constituency are a cause for concern. The ECI and the government must take immediate action to rectify the situation and ensure that every citizen has the right to exercise their franchise. The integrity of the electoral process is at stake, and it is imperative that we take concrete steps to address these issues.
