Authorities in Bengaluru have deployed artificial intelligence to identify over 6.4 lakh anomalies within the city’s electoral rolls. This marks the first time such a large number of discrepancies have been publicly disclosed since the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls commenced. The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) confirmed the extensive use of AI in flagging these inconsistencies, which include logical discrepancies and potential duplicate entries.
AI-Powered Discrepancy Detection
Information available with The Chenab Times indicates that an AI software tool is integral to the current revision process. Once an electoral official digitizes and submits enumeration forms, the system automatically flags any anomalies. This AI-driven approach is also employed to identify duplicate voters by flagging individuals with identical demographic details, such as names or fathers’ names, across different records.
The identified anomalies are diverse. Officials noted that many voters have at least one discrepancy, with some having multiple. These range from spelling variations in documents and expanded initials to more complex issues. In some instances, the AI has flagged seemingly impossible discrepancies, such as an implausibly small age gap between progeny linked to the same parent in previous revisions.
Scope of Anomalies and Next Steps
As of Saturday, July 26, 2026, only 38.81% of enumeration forms had been digitized. The total figure of 6.41 lakh anomalies includes 2.66 lakh flagged in Bengaluru Urban. However, the specific nature of all these discrepancies has not yet been fully detailed in the official reports.
To address potential errors flagged by the AI, a “data scrubbing” exercise, similar to one conducted in West Bengal, is planned. This process will involve a mechanical review to remove discrepancies that may have been incorrectly identified by the artificial intelligence system. Only after this scrubbing will the remaining cases undergo a final review before the draft electoral rolls are published.
The SIR process has also seen voters reporting that they have been marked as ‘shifted’ despite residing at the same address. This, along with the AI-identified anomalies, highlights the complexities and challenges in maintaining accurate electoral databases. The process aims to ensure the integrity of the electoral roll, but the extensive use of AI and the sheer volume of flagged issues underscore the intricate nature of data management in large urban centers.
The Chenab Times News Desk