SIR spotlights Bengaluru voters, 46L in ASDDO category

Bengaluru: The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has triggered a major exercise in Bengaluru, with more than 46 lakh voters across the city’s 25 Assembly constituencies being placed in the ASDDO category.

ASDDO refers to voters identified as absent, shifted permanently, deceased, or falling under other categories requiring verification. Officials have clarified that inclusion in the ASDDO list does not amount to immediate deletion of a voter’s name from the electoral roll. Voters will have an opportunity to file claims and objections before the final list is prepared.

According to GBA Chief Commissioner Maheshwar Rao, nearly 48 per cent of Bengaluru’s voters have been included in the ASDDO category following the verification exercise. A large proportion comprises people who have permanently shifted from their registered addresses.

The exercise has identified around 32.74 lakh voters as permanently shifted, while 7.27 lakh voters have been marked absent. Around 3.19 lakh voters have been identified as deceased, and more than 63,000 have been categorised as fake or duplicate voters.

Five Assembly constituencies with over 50 per cent in ASDDO

The data has raised particular attention in five Assembly constituencies where more than half of the voters have been placed in the ASDDO category.

Bommanahalli has the highest proportion, with 2,67,014 of its 4,84,973 voters, or 55.06 per cent, included in the category. Dasarahalli follows with 2,46,790 of 4,71,922 voters, accounting for 52.88 per cent.

In BTM Layout, 1,46,273 of 2,82,035 voters, or 51.86 per cent, have been identified under ASDDO. Vijayanagar has 1,65,058 of 3,20,773 voters, accounting for 51.45 per cent, while C.V. Raman Nagar has 1,40,801 of 2,74,142 voters, or 51.36 per cent.

Bengaluru South has recorded the highest number of voters in the ASDDO category in absolute terms, with around 11.07 lakh voters, accounting for 51.65 per cent of its electorate. Bengaluru North and Bengaluru Central have also reported large numbers.

The State Election Commission has announced that notices will be issued to around 24.06 lakh voters in Bengaluru as part of the verification process. Bengaluru North accounts for 6,13,003 notices, Bengaluru Central 4,29,364, Bengaluru City 9,45,998 and Bengaluru South 4,17,625.

The commission has also provided voters an opportunity to seek correction or re-inclusion in the electoral roll. Those whose names are missing or whose details require correction can submit the prescribed forms through the designated election authorities or online platforms.

Officials said the ASDDO exercise is part of the ongoing revision and should not be interpreted as final deletion of names. The number of voters retained in the final electoral roll will depend on the claims, objections and subsequent verification.