Bengaluru has emerged as a focal point in Karnataka's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, with nearly half of the city's electors currently categorised under ASDDO — an electoral listing that groups voters as Absent, Shifted, Duplicate, Dead and Others during house-to-house enumeration, according to media reports.
High numbers flagged in house-to-house checks
The SIR operation, carried out through door-to-door verification, has placed a substantial portion of Bengaluru voters into the ASDDO category, raising concerns about the scale of deletions or temporary removals from the rolls. Actor and public figure Prakash Raj said on Tuesday that his name had been removed from the Bengaluru constituency list amid the revision.
“Dear friends, saathiyon, I want to share a joke with you, I am one of the 65 lakh voters whose voter right has been deleted from Bangalore constituency after SIR, nice joke, no,”
The actor, who contested the 2019 Lok Sabha polls as an independent from Bengaluru Central and has been an outspoken critic of the BJP, posted the statement in a video on social media, as reported. He said he was born in the constituency and received his schooling and college education there, and indicated he would pursue the process to restore his entry on the rolls.
Legal backdrop and recent court action
Last month, a Bengaluru court issued a non-bailable warrant against Prakash Raj in a case alleging possession of multiple voter identity cards. The actor subsequently obtained conditional bail, as reported. The complainant in that matter had alleged possession of voter IDs across several states, an issue that underlines the Election Commission's rule permitting only one registered voter identity per person.
What ASDDO means for voters
Voters placed under the ASDDO heading are typically those who could not be verified at the time of house-to-house checking, whose records appear to be duplicated, or who are otherwise categorised for further scrutiny. Placing a name in ASDDO does not necessarily mean permanent deletion; there is normally a period during which electors can get their details verified and restored. However, the scale of ASDDO entries in Bengaluru has prompted debate about possible disenfranchisement if restoration procedures are not promptly and clearly communicated.
- Scale reported: Actor Prakash Raj said he was among 65 lakh voters whose names were deleted from the Bangalore constituency during SIR.
- Category involved: ASDDO — Absent, Shifted, Duplicate, Dead and Others.
- Process involved: House-to-house enumeration under the SIR exercise.
Data at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Reported affected voters (per Prakash Raj) | 65 lakh |
| Primary category used | ASDDO |
| Location | Bengaluru (city) |
| Exercise | Special Intensive Revision (SIR) — house-to-house enumeration |
Implications and next steps for electors
The SIR is intended to clean and update the electoral rolls ahead of future elections. Electors categorised as ASDDO usually have recourse to provide supporting documents or to appear at designated centres to complete verification and avoid permanent deletion. The high number of ASDDO entries in Bengaluru underscores the need for clear public communication from election authorities about timelines and the documents required for restoration.
Prakash Raj said he would follow the required procedures to re-establish his entry. His public statement and the size of the ASDDO listing in a major urban constituency have renewed focus on administrative preparation and voter awareness drives in the city.
Election officials in Karnataka have previously stated that SIR exercises are governed by the Election Commission of India guidelines and include mechanisms for grievance redressal and re-enrolment. The timing of the exercise and the administrative steps taken now will be closely watched by political parties, civil society groups and voters in Bengaluru.
Further clarification on the exact numbers, restoration procedure and deadlines is expected from electoral authorities; voters affected by ASDDO status are advised to check official notices and contact local election offices for guidance on verification and re-enrolment.
Reported from Bengaluru.
