Mapped voters get notices for
non-mapping, BJP demands inquiry

Bengaluru: The SIR has flagged serious concerns over many voters being issued notices for “no-mapping” despite having filled correct mapping data in their enumeration forms.A case in point is Vidyaranyapura in Byatarayanapura Assembly constituency, which has reported over 60% unmapped cases in select polling booths despite enumeration forms having correct SIR mapping data.For instance, in booth number 158, a total of 843 forms were digitised and 787 were marked as non-mapping cases. But 352 of the non-mapping cases were found to be wrong as the enumeration forms had the 2002 voter list information. In booth number 284, of the 834 digitised forms, 718 were no-mapping cases. Here too, 117 cases were found to be wrong as submitted forms had mapping data.A random sampling of booths by BJP BLAs found that only Vidyaranyapura subdivision had over 60% no-mapping cases, but others – Jala, Thanisandra and Kodigehalli had only 10-20% non-mapping cases.Madhusudhan, BJP’s booth-level agent-1 in Byatarayanpura, said during enumeration, BLAs had helped voters fill up mapping details correctly in enumeration forms. But notices were being issued as ‘non-mapping’ cases."We checked acknowledgement forms. Also, of the 117 polling booths in Vidyaranyapura, 110 booths dominated by government officials and software professionals, had unusually high non-mapping cases (up to 70%). But remaining nine had under 10%. Clearly it’s a political ploy to exclude BJP voters. Of the 46,000 non-mapping cases in the segment, even if 10,000 voters get deleted for skipping hearing, the poll outcome will change as victory margin was 5,671 votes in 2018," he said. “The voter has to appear for hearing for no fault of his,” rued Madhusudhan.The BJP has demanded reverification of all forms in Vidyaranyapura, reason for recording mapped forms as non-mapping, while demanding action against officials for dereliction of duty.“Are these due to technical glitches, human error, negligence or political bias need to be verified through original forms, 2002 voter list, BLO/BLA records and digital logs,” said S Dattari, BJP’s SIR incharge.CEO Karnataka V Anbukkumar told DH that if notices have been issued, the voter has to appear before the ERO and submit necessary documents.“Only ERO has the discretion to decide. Voters should appear in person for hearing.”Cut-off box – Alive voter shown dead in draft rolls
A 61-year-old resident of Mangaluru has been listed as “dead” in the draft electoral rolls published after Special Intensive Revision revision DH reports from Mangaluru.
Donald Joseph Rego a voter from the Mangalore City South Assembly constituency noticed that his name was missing from the draft electoral roll. On checking the records he found that his name had been mentioned in the “dead” category under the Absent Shifted Duplicate Dead and Others (ASDDO) list. After noticing the error he approached the Booth Level Officer (BLO) and the Assistant Electoral Registration Officer (AERO) to include his name. However his efforts did not yield an immediate solution. He had already submitted the duly completed enumeration form to the BLO as part of the SIR exercise.
Officials had attributed the mistake to data-entry error by the operator.
Following instructions from officials Rego has also submitted form 6 seeking fresh inclusion of his name in the electoral roll.
When contacted K S Dayanand Tahsildar (Election) said that a complaint had been received and the matter had been brought to the notice of the Election Commission.

Source: Deccan Herald