Bengaluru: Amid the much-publicised Special Intensive Revision (SIR), a parallel SIR at the ward level in Bengaluru, ordered by State Election Commission (SEC), has hit a roadblock. Now, the panel is considering whether to continue the exercise or suspend it.The draft ward electoral rolls, which were earlier scheduled to be published on Thursday, are yet to be released as the door-to-door enumeration has not been completed.SEC secretary Amaresh H told TOI the district electoral officer and Greater Bengaluru Authority chief commissioner Maheshwar Rao sought directions from the commission as the civic body was unable to proceed with the exercise.“Since GBA is engaged in the Election Commission of India’s Special Intensive Revision, it has not been able to train booth-level officers (BLOs) for the SEC’s revision. The SEC’s exercise has been challenged in the high court. We have sought a week’s time from the court and are deciding the next course of action,” he said.The SEC ordered the revision in 27 wards — 24 wards in Mahadevapura assembly constituency and three in Gandhinagar. While the door-to-door verification was scheduled to end on July 4, BJP leaders in Mahadevapura claimed only 20% was completed.“It appears the parallel SIR was launched to confuse voters and tamper with the electoral rolls ahead of GBA elections. We have not received the complete list of BLOs appointed for the exercise,” said BJP functionary Prasad Babu.According to him, Mahadevapura has 486 polling booths, but only around 300 BLOs have been appointed. He said political parties were not informed about any extension of the exercise.Congress: Why is BJP afraid of SIR?Congress leaders in Gandhinagar defended the revision and questioned the BJP’s opposition to the state-level exercise. “Our booth-level agents, along with BLOs, found that several voter addresses could not be verified. Under the guidance of our MLA Dinesh Gundu Rao, we have submitted 11,000 Form-7 applications objecting to the inclusion of fake voters in the electoral rolls,” said Congress coordinator Deepak Ramaiah.“If BJP leaders such as Chalavadi Narayanaswamy support the Special Intensive Revision at the national level, why are they afraid of a similar exercise in Karnataka? We have submitted documentary proof highlighting the irregularities and sought the revision,” he added.SEC’s Timeline For Ward-Level SIRJune 26-July 4: BLOs conduct door-to-door enumerationJuly 7-8: Generation of draft electoral rollsJuly 9: Publication of draft rollsJuly 10-16: Period for lodging claims and objectionsJuly 17-26: Verification and disposal of claimsJuly 31: Publication of final electoral rolls
