2 weeks ago
Telangana Voter Revision Draws Dispute Over Linking Requirements
Telangana is checking its voter lists in a process called a Special Intensive Revision.
Many names were left out of the draft voter list, and many more people may receive notices.
Congress leader Mahesh Kumar Goud says the rules could hurt poor people.
He especially objects to asking voters to connect their names to voter lists from 2002.
He also says election officers have not visited some homes enough times.
The chief election officer says people can still fix their records.
They can submit Form 6 and another required declaration between August 17 and September 16.
The disagreement is about how voters should prove they belong on the list.
Congress leader B Mahesh Kumar Goud urged the Election Commission to drop the requirement of linking voters to the 2002 electoral rolls.
The draft rolls released on August 17 reportedly excluded 73 lakh names, while notices are being issued to about 92 lakh electors.
Chief Electoral Officer C Sudharshan Reddy said 60 lakh people are in the anomalies category and 32 lakh are unmapped.
Goud said poorer citizens may lose voting rights because they cannot provide documents or establish links with the 2002 rolls.
Eligible voters can submit Form 6 and the prescribed declaration during the claims period ending September 16.
- Who
- Congress leader and Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee president B Mahesh Kumar Goud, the Telangana Election Commission authorities, and affected electors.
- What
- Goud demanded that voters not be required to link themselves to the 2002 electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision.
- Where
- Telangana, with Goud particularly raising concerns about Hyderabad.
- When
- The demand was made on Tuesday; the claims and objections period runs from August 17 to September 16.
- Why
- Goud said the requirement and inadequate field visits could exclude poor and genuine voters, while election authorities are reviewing anomalies and voter records.
Congress and voter-rights concerns
Election authorities and verification process
Link to 2002 rolls
Congress and voter-rights concerns
Mahesh Kumar Goud said requiring voters to establish a link with the 2002 electoral rolls unfairly affects poorer citizens and should be removed.
Election authorities and verification process
Election authorities are using the 2002 rolls as a baseline for the Special Intensive Revision and are notifying voters whose records have anomalies or remain unmapped.
Field verification
Congress and voter-rights concerns
Goud alleged that Booth Level Officers, especially in Hyderabad, have rarely made the required three house visits to assess absent, shifted, dead, or duplicate voters.
Election authorities and verification process
The stated procedure requires Booth Level Officers to decide these categories after making three visits to a household.
Opportunity to remain enrolled
Congress and voter-rights concerns
Goud requested details of 1.60 lakh voters in the ASD, anomalies, and unmapped categories so party agents can help them enroll.
Election authorities and verification process
Chief Electoral Officer C Sudharshan Reddy said genuine electors can still seek inclusion by filing Form 6 and the prescribed declaration during the claims and objections period.
Key facts
- Draft roll exclusions
- About 73 lakh names were not included in Telangana’s draft electoral rolls released on August 17.
- Notices
- About 92 lakh electors are expected to receive notices over anomalies or inability to link with the 2002 rolls.
- Anomalies category
- The Chief Electoral Officer said notices would be issued to 60 lakh people in this category.
- Unmapped category
- Another 32 lakh people reportedly could not establish a link with the 2002 electoral rolls.
- Claims deadline
- Genuine electors can submit Form 6 and the prescribed declaration from August 17 through September 16.
- Goud’s demand
- He asked the Election Commission to allow citizens to vote after an inquiry regardless of whether they are linked to the 2002 rolls.
- Booth-level agents
- Goud said Congress submitted a list of 35,000 booth-level agents, while election authorities recorded more than 13,000.
Sources
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