Actor Prakash Raj Claims Name Removed from Bengaluru Voter Roll Amid Electoral Revision
Actor and political critic Prakash Raj announced that his name has been omitted from the voter list in his Bengaluru constituency during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Karnataka. The actor shared the update via a video statement, highlighting his lifelong connection to the constituency.
What Happened
In a video message posted to Instagram, Prakash Raj stated that he is among the 65 lakh voters whose names have been struck from the electoral rolls in the Bengaluru constituency following the SIR process. Describing the situation, the actor noted his deep roots in the area, pointing out that he was born, educated, pursued theatre, and previously ran for parliament in the exact same constituency.
During his address, the actor also remarked on the verification procedures he would now have to undertake to restore his voting status. He questioned the documents he might be required to produce to regain his voter ID, invoking language reminiscent of past anti-CAA protest slogans, and delivered a message stating, “Game on.”
Key Highlights
- Claim of Deletion: Prakash Raj stated his voter status was removed amid an exercise affecting an estimated 65 lakh names in Karnataka.
- Electoral Background: The actor ran as an Independent candidate from the Bangalore Central constituency during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
- Statewide Revision Concerns: Bengaluru has become a primary focal point in Karnataka’s SIR exercise, with roughly half of the city’s electors categorized under ASDDO (Absent, Shifted, Duplicate, Dead, and Others) during house-to-house enumeration.
- Prior Legal Scrutiny: The development follows an incident last month where a Bengaluru city court issued a non-bailable warrant against the actor over allegations of holding four separate voter IDs across Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, leading him to secure conditional bail.
Why This Matters
The Special Intensive Revision in Karnataka has placed significant focus on the electoral rolls in Bengaluru, where nearly half of the listed electors have been classified under ASDDO categories. Election Commission regulations strictly permit an individual to hold only a single voter identification card. Prakash Raj’s remarks come shortly after facing formal legal complaints regarding alleged duplicate registrations across multiple southern states.
What to Watch Next
The actor indicated he intends to navigate the documentation and verification procedures necessary to address the status of his voter registration, while electoral authorities continue their house-to-house revision process across the state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Prakash Raj’s name reportedly removed from the voter list?
According to Prakash Raj, his name was deleted as part of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise currently underway in Karnataka.
What is the ASDDO classification in the electoral revision?
The ASDDO category stands for Absent, Shifted, Duplicate, Dead, and Others, which is used during door-to-door enumeration to identify electoral roll entries that require verification or correction.
What legal case was previously filed against Prakash Raj regarding voter cards?
A complaint was filed alleging that Prakash Raj possessed multiple voter ID cards across Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, contrary to Election Commission regulations. A city court had issued a non-bailable warrant, after which the actor secured conditional bail.
Source: Based on statements and reports published by Bollywood Hungama.