Telangana CEO Warns Electoral Roll Anomalies Could Exceed 1 Crore
Hyderabad: Over two weeks into the distribution of enumeration forms for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Telangana, Chief Electoral Officer C. Sudharshan Reddy has stated that the number of discrepancies or anomalies could cross one crore. In an interview, he addressed widespread confusion among voters regarding the process.
The SIR aims to clean up the electoral rolls by verifying voter details against 2002 records. Reddy explained that the enumeration form has three sections: pre-filled information, a box for voters who were on the rolls in 2002 to confirm their details, an adjacent box for those who were not voters in 2002 to provide their parents' details from that year, and a bottom box for current details if the previous two are left blank.
If a voter leaves the top boxes blank, their name will be published in the draft roll and a notice will be issued. They must then respond with sufficient proof, such as one of 11 identity documents. Reddy advised against using photocopies of the form, recommending voters write draft information on a photocopy first and then transfer it carefully.
On name mismatches, Reddy said that if there is a discrepancy between the voter's name in 2002 and now, a notice will be issued, and the voter must respond with relevant documents. For voters who have moved residences without updating their address, he suggested either visiting the old address to collect the form or noting the shift, then applying for a change via Form 8 in August.
Regarding fresh applications, Reddy noted that Form 6 along with a declaration and any of 12 listed documents is required. For elderly individuals without school records or birth certificates, any other ID such as a ration card may be accepted during the notice period, subject to the quasi-judicial authority's discretion.
Addressing fears stemming from the West Bengal experience, where SIR notices were linked to citizenship concerns, Reddy reassured that each Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) acts as a quasi-judicial authority and will seek to retain voters unless there is a substantial, unaddressable discrepancy. Notices must be issued by the ERO before any action.
Reddy did not specify the exact number of anomalies but indicated they could exceed one crore, underscoring the scale of the revision exercise.
