Bengaluru | September 9, 2026
A spelling error in Bharat Ratna awardee Professor C.N. R. Rao’s name in Bengaluru’s draft electoral roll has prompted an official clarification, with district election authorities stating that no notice was issued to the 92-year-old scientist and that steps have been taken to include his name in the final roll.
The error came to light during the ongoing electoral roll revision in the Malleshwaram Assembly constituency. The name, previously recorded as “Prof C N R Rao”, appeared in the revised draft as “Proff C N R Rao” after an additional “f” was inserted. The difference reportedly led to a mismatch being identified in the electoral records.
Maheshwar Rao, Bengaluru Urban district election officer and chief commissioner, said Professor Rao had not been served a notice. According to the clarification, election officials visited his residence along with the State SVEEP nodal officer and the commissioner of Bengaluru West City Corporation to provide enumeration forms and collect the required information.
The authorities said Professor Rao was listed in the 2002 electoral roll for the erstwhile 76-Malleshwaram Assembly constituency, in Part 129 at serial number 431, where his name was recorded as “Ram”. He is currently registered in the 157-Malleshwaram Assembly constituency, Part 59, at serial number 187, under the name “Professor C.N. Rao M”.
Officials said his name is also present in the draft electoral roll. The booth-level officer did not issue a notice in connection with the name discrepancy and recommended that the name be retained in the final roll. The district election authorities said the necessary process for including it in the final electoral roll has been initiated.
