Ward-wise voter rolls for Bengaluru civic polls soon

In a ray of hope for Bengaluru civic polls, the State government has directed Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) officials to extend the necessary assistance to the State Election Commission (SEC) in preparing ward-wise electoral rolls for conducting the elections.

Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said on Wednesday that the final electoral rolls following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) were published on October 27. Based on these, the SEC will have to prepare ward-wise voter rolls.

“We have told our officials that there should be no delay from our side in preparing ward-wise rolls. Our officials will extend all the assistance needed,” he said.

Subsequently, the ward-wise lists prepared on the basis of the new electoral rolls will be published, inviting objections. New additions will also be allowed during this period. After the objections are addressed, the final rolls will be published.

Mr. Gowda said these exercises would have to be completed within a stipulated timeframe, which the State Election Commission would oversee. Election dates may be announced subsequently.

A corporation commissioner told The Hindu that the SEC had written to officials earlier this month regarding training for Assistant Electoral Registration Officers and Electoral Registration Officers on preparing ward-wise electoral rolls.

“The training was also conducted in mid-October. Now, the exercise has to start,” the commissioner said.

On July 17, the Supreme Court set the end of December as the deadline for conducting the GBA civic polls. GBA officials are optimistic about meeting the deadline.