Telangana Congress urges EC to re-verify 73 lakh voters flagged for deletion

The Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) has requested the Election Commission of India to conduct a detailed re-verification of voters proposed for deletion during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. The party contends that no genuine elector should be removed from the electoral rolls without thorough scrutiny and an opportunity to establish eligibility.

In a representation submitted to Chief Electoral Officer C. Sudarshan Reddy on Wednesday, TPCC leaders expressed concern over the scale of the proposed deletions. According to Pulipati Rajesh Kumar, Chairman of the TPCC Election Commission Coordination Committee, approximately 73 lakh voters are slated for deletion, with the draft voters’ list expected to be published on August 17.

The party has highlighted that the list includes 45,18,961 voters marked as permanently shifted, 6,70,203 individuals already enrolled elsewhere, and 1,02,294 classified under other categories. Describing the situation as unreasonable, the delegation has asked the Election Commission not to remove names without a deeper examination and a transparent re-verification process.

The Congress leaders have also sought details of voters whose records were classified as uncollectable or anomalous, so that the party’s Booth Level Agents (BLAs) can assist in verification. The BLAs, they said, would visit the addresses concerned to re-check voter details and guide eligible electors on submitting Form 6 applications if their names were wrongfully proposed for deletion.

The SIR process is a periodic exercise undertaken by the Election Commission to update electoral rolls, identify duplicate or ineligible entries, and remove names of voters who have shifted or passed away. While the process aims to ensure accuracy, critics have often pointed out that errors can occur, leading to the exclusion of genuine voters. The TPCC's request underscores the need for a balance between updating the rolls and protecting the voting rights of citizens.

The Election Commission has yet to respond publicly to the representation. However, electoral officials have previously emphasised that all proposed deletions are subject to a claim-and-objection period, during which affected voters can file objections or submit documents to retain their names. The final publication of the electoral roll will only happen after due consideration of all claims and objections.

Political parties across the spectrum have historically voiced similar concerns during revision exercises, reflecting the sensitivity of the electoral process. The TPCC's appeal, if accepted, could lead to additional checks and verification mechanisms, potentially reducing the number of deletions. The outcome will be closely watched as the state prepares for upcoming elections.