With name back on rolls, Rahul Dravid now a voter from Malleswaram

BENGALURU: Former Indian cricket captain Rahul Dravid is now eligible to cast his vote in future elections.

The Election Commission (EC) icon and ambassador couldn’t exercise his franchise in the

Lok Sabha

polls held earlier this year as his name was deleted after he shifted his house from Indiranagar to Ashwathnagar in RMV Extension.

Dravid’s name couldn’t be included in the list as a

voter from Malleswaram

assembly constituency where Ashwathnagar falls. After the chief electoral office (CEO) of Karnataka followed up the matter with the BBMP revenue official concerned, Dravid’s case was considered special and his name was included as a voter in July.

Two months later, BBMP staff were allowed to update electoral rolls from September 1. The special summary revision of rolls is scheduled to end by October 15.

Dravid and his wife Vijeta’s names were deleted from the voters’ list after his brother Vijay submitted Form 7 (meant for deletion of names from list) on October 31, 2018, stating the couple had moved from their residence on Indiranagar 12th Main to Ashwathnagar.

According to documents accessed by TOI, the CEO sought a report from BBMP on July 2 asking whether Dravid and his wife’s names were present in the voters’ list. The staff informed the CEO on July 12 that the names were included in

Malleswaram

assembly constituency.

Dravid is now seen beaming from EC posters as the voter verification programme is under way. “I make my voter details 100% right,” he appeals in the poster.

According to sources, Roopa J, the assistant revenue officer and assistant electoral officer concerned, completed the procedure and included Dravid’s name in the list. As Dravid is EC’s brand ambassador, it was the electoral staff’s duty to ensure his and his wife’s names remained on the rolls, an officer said.

Meanwhile, several Bengalureans who are approaching jurisdictional BBMP officers to check whether their names are on the list say they’re being told their applications for enrolment have gone missing. BBMP commissioner and district electoral officer BH Anil Kumar said he will look into the matter.