Bengaluru Residents Flag Glitches and Unclear Forms in Voter Revision Drive

Bengaluru residents are raising concerns over multiple procedural lapses and technical glitches in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) voter enumeration process.

Citizens across the city have reported facing unclear forms, a lack of door-to-door verification by Booth Level Officers (BLOs), and online portal errors, leaving many anxious about the security of their names on the voter list.

One of the primary concerns is the complexity of the physical forms. Residents noted that the document lacks clear instructions, leaving mandatory fields unexplained and making essential details like the Assembly constituency, part number, and serial number difficult to locate. Shiva Kumar, a local resident, stated that the form is not user-friendly, leaving ordinary voters guessing what information is required. Many have suggested that a simple instruction sheet in both Kannada and English would resolve the confusion.

The physical verification process has also faced criticism. Although the exercise is described as a door-to-door verification drive, residents reported that BLOs have failed to visit many households. In several apartment complexes, officials reportedly asked residents to submit their forms in common areas instead of conducting individual visits. Anitha Hanumanta, a homemaker, emphasized that officials must visit every household so voters do not have to wonder if their names are safe on the electoral rolls.

For those attempting to complete the process online, technical issues have hindered progress. Voters reported encountering portal errors, Aadhaar and EPIC mismatches, and missing voter records. Homemaker Vandana Gowda noted that these portal glitches have caused people to lose confidence in the exercise, calling for the technical errors to be resolved.

Additionally, citizens are calling for ward-level helpdesks to address doubts regarding documentation and corrections. Naveen Mohan, a college student, pointed out that dedicated helpdesks with trained staff would prevent repeated visits to election offices. Others, including resident Mohit Mishra, highlighted the need for bilingual forms in both Kannada and English to accommodate Bengaluru's multilingual population, including migrants and senior citizens.

Garment worker Harish Gowda stressed that the primary objective of the drive should be to safeguard voting rights. He stated that no eligible voter should lose their right to vote due to paperwork errors, procedural lapses, or missed visits.