Tejasvi Surya Raises Questions Over HSR Layout Voter Verification Process

Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya has raised concerns over the voter list Special Intensive Revision process in Bengaluru’s HSR Layout, alleging serious irregularities in the verification of voters. He has written to the Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer demanding a detailed investigation into the matter.

The BJP leader claimed that more than 13,000 voters in HSR Layout Ward 174 under Bommanahalli Assembly constituency were marked as “UEF Permanent Shifting”, indicating they had permanently moved away. According to him, the action was taken without proper physical verification and could affect the voting rights of eligible citizens.

In his letter to Chief Electoral Officer Anbu Kumar, Surya alleged that the house to house verification process conducted across 53 polling booths in the ward had several procedural violations. He stated that a large number of voters were removed from the active list without sufficient evidence confirming their relocation.

The MP also questioned the claim that around 75 percent of the verification process had been completed without proper field checks. He said such practices could raise doubts about the transparency and reliability of the electoral revision exercise.

Surya alleged that Booth Level Agents were not informed before thousands of names were marked under the permanent shifting category. He claimed that mandatory procedures, including GPS based photographs and enumeration sticker records during house visits, were not properly followed.

He further stated that officials did not collect confirmation from neighbours or local residents to verify whether the listed voters had actually moved away. Residents in the area have also reportedly complained that some Booth Level Officers did not visit several houses during the verification drive.

According to Surya, the issue is significant because the area has recorded average voter participation of around 45 percent in previous elections. He expressed concern that incorrect changes in voter records could prevent genuine residents from exercising their constitutional voting rights.

Seeking immediate action, the MP has requested the Election Commission to conduct fresh physical verification of all 13,000 plus voters marked as permanently shifted in HSR Layout. He has also demanded a high level inquiry into the enumeration process across the 53 polling booths.

Surya further urged authorities to take disciplinary action against officials found responsible for negligence or submission of incorrect reports. He said protecting voter rights and maintaining public confidence in the election process should remain the priority.