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GBA Polls: Over 700 Objections Filed Over Women’s Reservation; Commissioner Orders Rigorous Voter List Verification!?

By Shravanthi R
GBA Polls: Over 700 Objections Filed Over Women’s Reservation; Commissioner Orders Rigorous Voter List Verification!?

As per the Supreme Court’s order, preparations have gathered momentum to conduct the GBA elections by June 30. Meanwhile, concerns have been raised over the allocation of women’s reservation, and it is reported that around 700 objections have been submitted to the authority by the public. On the other hand, the Chief Commissioner of the authority, M. Maheshwar Rao, has reportedly instructed officials to personally verify the voters’ list.

Preparations for the much-anticipated Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) elections have hit a contentious note as the June 30 deadline, set by the Supreme Court, approaches. While the state government had promised 50% reservation for women across the 369 newly carved wards, the draft notification has sparked a wave of protest, with over 700 objections filed by the public.

The Reservation Shortfall: Below the 50% Benchmark

An analysis of the draft reservation matrix released for the five city corporations shows a disparity between the government's promise and the actual numbers:

Total Wards: 369

Reserved for Women: 176 (approx. 47.7%)

Shortfall: The current list falls short by 9 wards to reach the promised 50% mark.

Affected Zones: The East Zone is the most impacted, with only 23 of 50 wards (46%) reserved for women. Advocates argue that in corporations with an even number of seats (like 72), reserving only 34 seats instead of 36 is a direct dilution of the policy.

Government officials have defended the list, citing the Greater Bengaluru Governance Act, 2024, and 2011 Census data, claiming that where categories have an odd number of wards, the final ward remains unreserved.

Commissioner M. Maheshwar Rao’s Strict Directives

Amidst these challenges, GBA Chief Commissioner M. Maheshwar Rao has stepped up administrative oversight. Addressing a meeting at Town Hall, he issued stern instructions to officials regarding the electoral rolls.

Key Administrative Updates:

Direct Verification: Commissioner Rao has ordered officials to personally verify the voter lists to ensure no eligible voter is excluded and to prevent "logical discrepancies" (such as age mismatches or incorrect parentage).

Revised Circular: Following the State Election Commission's (SEC) revised circular on January 22, the process for special summary revision has been accelerated. Also Read: Unity at the Forefront: Governor Gehlot Delivers Full State Address at 77th Republic Day Celebrations