Bengaluru East Corporation Records Lowest Voter Count Among All City Corporations
The Bengaluru East City Corporation has emerged with the lowest number of voters among all five city corporations in the metropolitan area, according to the latest data from the Greater Bengaluru Authority. With a total of 10,41,396 voters, the East Corporation not only has the smallest electorate but also the fewest wards, comprising just 50 wards and 919 polling stations.
Minimal Growth in Second Draft Voter List
The second draft voters list released by the Greater Bengaluru Authority on Monday revealed only a marginal increase in the overall voter count. A mere 1,117 new voters were added, bringing the total number of voters in the GBA draft list to 88.9 lakh. This follows the first draft list released on January 18, which had 88,91,411 voters.
After a window for filing objections between January 20 and February 3, the second draft list now stands at 88,92,528 voters. Interestingly, the number of polling stations was reduced by 20 in this update, dropping from approximately 8,044 to around 8,024 stations. Citizens now have approximately six days, from March 10 to March 16, to file objections and suggestions regarding the updated list.
Demographic Breakdown and Official Response
The current voter demographics show 45,69,752 men, 43,21,143 women, and 1,633 other voters. Compared to the first draft, which had 45,69,193 men, 43,20,583 women, and 1,635 other voters, the second draft indicates a slight increase in the number of women voters relative to men and other categories.
When questioned about the number of objections and suggestions received during the filing window, GBA election officials were unable to provide specific figures. However, Maheswar Rao, Chief Commissioner of GBA, informed TOI that the objections received were less than 0.5 percent. He explained, "The suggestions were mostly from political parties, and we considered all objections. This increase primarily includes names that were initially missed from the state election commission list. We also corrected our own errors, such as omitting names, which we have now added."
Ward-Level Voter Statistics Highlight Disparities
At the ward level, significant disparities in voter numbers are evident. The Subramanyapura ward of the Bengaluru South City Corporation boasts the highest number of voters among all 369 wards in the city, with Ward 51 (Subramanyapura) recording a substantial 54,026 voters.
In stark contrast, the Kotthur ward within the Bengaluru East City Corporation has the least number of voters, with only 10,940 voters. This further underscores the East Corporation's position as the area with the smallest electoral base in Bengaluru.
The ongoing updates to the voter list are crucial for ensuring accurate representation in upcoming civic elections, with authorities continuing to refine the data based on public feedback and corrections.
