The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : NGOs see shortcomings in enrolment of voters

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Aug 10, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

NGOs see shortcomings in enrolment of voters

Special Correspondent

The samiti collected and submitted 860 applications for inclusion in the voters' list in October 2004, but none were included

BANGALORE: The issue of voters' photo identity cars now going on in the city and Bangalore Urban District has several shortcomings, according to information gathered by the Public Affairs Centre and Shree Sadguru Seva Samithi (SSSS) of Krishnarajapuram.

The two non-governmental organisations are active in voters' education and monitoring of candidates during elections. They have reportedly found it easy to obtain bogus identity cards.

After irregularities in issuing the electoral cards were pointed out, the Deputy Commissioner of Bangalore Urban District had suspended an Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) for failing to discharge his duties, the two NGOs said. The suspension came in the wake of complaints of more than 800 names being omitted from the voters' list.

With PAC's support, the samiti had collected and submitted 860 applications for inclusion of names in the voters' list during the last summary revision in October and November 2004. During the present programme, none of the names submitted were found on the voters' list. The authorities were unable to trace the applications either. There were cases of bogus identity cards.

Sting operation

In a "sting operation", the samiti volunteers were able to obtain identity cards in the name of other eligible voters. These cards were submitted to the electoral officers with a complaint. Copies of notices not delivered to the voters (for appearing at the photography locations) were collected, they said.

Venue for today

The Bangalore Mahanagara Palike will issue photo identity cards to eligible voters at the following places between 8.30 a.m. and 6.30 p.m. on Wednesday.

BMP limits: BMP ward office, J.R. Road; Corporation Primary School, 8th Main Road, Byrasandra; Gangamma Hombegowda Boys High School, 10th Cross, Wilson Garden; Sunbeam High School, 80th Feet Layout, Guruppanapalya; Government Model Middle School, Domlur Village; Corporation Nursery School, Commissionerate Road; Methodist Misssion High School, D.K. Street, Sivajinagar; DGQA Community Hall, Bellary Road, Ganganagar.

Bangalore Urban district: Panchayat Office, Vanakanahalli; Government Lower Primary School, Gudnahalli; Government Model School, HAL 3rd Stage, J.B. Nagar; Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Collage, HAR 2nd Stage, Holy Zavier P.S. 4th Cross, Byappanahalli; Gurubhavan Anekal Town; Government Primary School, Banaswadi.

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