Telangana Chief Minister K. Revanth Reddy has expressed serious concerns regarding the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in the state, indicating that approximately 92.86 lakh voters could face exclusion. His apprehensions were shared in a letter addressed to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.

Scale of Voter Deletions Highlighted

In his communication dated August 28, Reddy elaborated on the alarming number of electoral entries identified for verification. He noted that from a total of 3.38 crore electors, as recorded on June 10, nearly 73.39 lakh entries, or 21.7 per cent, are currently categorised as Absent, Shifted, Dead, and Duplicate (ASDD). Of the 2.65 crore enumeration forms that have been digitised, 60.50 lakh entries have been flagged due to anomalies, and an additional 32.36 lakh lack linkage to the previous electoral roll.

Reddy explained that these categories do not overlap, resulting in a total of 92.86 lakh entries that are under scrutiny. He highlighted that this situation demands urgent attention, as a substantial portion of the state’s electorate may be required to verify their entitlement to vote or risk losing their status on the electoral roll.

Distinction Between Temporary Absence and Permanent Relocation

Among the numerous issues raised in his letter, Reddy expressed particular concern regarding the classification of voters as “permanently shifted.” He pointed out that out of the 73.39 lakh ASDD entries, approximately 45.19 lakh fall under this category. Reddy emphasised the need for a clear distinction between temporary absence and genuine permanent relocation, arguing that many individuals could be away from their homes due to work or travel at the time the Booth Level Officers (BLOs) conduct their visits.

He stated, “The current verification methodology suffers from critical structural flaws,” arguing that a voter temporarily away is treated the same as one who has permanently moved. This could unfairly penalise those who are legitimately entitled to participate in the electoral process.

Calls for Procedural Improvements

Reddy went on to express concerns regarding the notice procedures affecting voters categorised as “shifted.” He warned that eligible electors might only realise their names have been removed from the rolls upon reaching polling stations on election day. To address these issues, he called for improved facilitation for genuine movers, suggesting that individuals who have relocated should be supported in registering at their new addresses instead of having their names deleted.

The Chief Minister also pointed to regional disparities in the SIR exercise, highlighting that districts such as Hyderabad, Medchal-Malkajgiri, and Rangareddy represent a large percentage of ASDD entries and verification notices, despite containing about one-third of the state’s electorate.

Request for Extension and Enhanced Support

In light of these considerable concerns, Reddy has requested a four-week extension to the current claims and objections period, which runs from August 17 to September 16. He suggested that mechanisms be put in place to facilitate public readings of draft electoral rolls in Gram Sabhas and urban ward committee meetings, alongside the establishment of help desks at booth levels to assist voters with documentation.

Moreover, he called for clarity regarding the documents required for the SIR verification process, stating that the aim of the initiative is to ensure no eligible voter is omitted from the electoral rolls and that the integrity of the exercise instils confidence among the electorate.

Reddy’s statement follows his earlier correspondence with the Election Commission, emphasising the need for safeguards in the electoral roll revision process to prevent the unintentional exclusion of eligible voters.

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