A number of anomalies had been detected during the run up to the elections to the Kanakpura Lok sabha, held in February 2002. Due to the missing names from the voters’ list, many of the voters could not exercise their franchise. To address this major issue comprehensively, PAC appealed to the aggrieved voters in Bangalore to file written reports of such cases. In response, PAC received reports of more than 350 names missing from the voters' list. PAC organised an interactive meeting called Voters’ Sabha on March 19, 2002, that provided an opportunity for the aggrieved citizens who could not vote in these elections to air their woes to the concerned authorities. The meeting was attended by Mr. H.C. Nagendra, Joint Chief Electoral Officer of the Election Commission of India-Karnataka. The objective of the Sabha was also to discuss means for improving the procedure for preparation and revision of electoral rolls.

About the meeting:

• A large number of members of civic groups, representatives of various organisations, and other individuals from across the city attended the Sabha. Civic groups made presentations of their cases and highlighted the various discrepancies they had discovered on the electoral rolls, which even included the omission of several entire houses and apartment blocks from the electoral rolls.

• The groups also suggested changes to the existing procedures of the preparation and verification of the electoral rolls.

• One suggestion was to make the electoral rolls citizen-friendly by computerizing them and making them available on CD-ROMS for institutions or individuals to purchase. Others requested to make the requisite forms available in ward offices, post offices and national banks in every locality for easy access, and that ID cards, with details of the date of birth of a voter, be made compulsory for every voter.

Impact of the meeting:

Based on the list of complaints on missing names, Mr. H.C. Nagendra directed the BMP to take appropriate action and to include the names in the list. Copies of Form 6(the inclusion form) were also made available in the ARO offices and Designated Photography Locations (where the voters’ ID cards in a locality are issued), so that voters whose names are missing from the list can get these by filling out the form.