Archive · 9 Aug 2026
Telangana Voters Panic as BLOs Refuse Enumeration Forms
This story is about people in Telangana who were trying to hand in important government forms.
The forms had to be given to special officers called booth-level officers, or BLOs for short.
The last day to hand in the forms was August 10.
But on the weekend, many officers said they would not accept the forms because of local festivals called Bonalu and Rangam.
This made many people worried and panicked.
Some people called the officers on their phones, but the officers did not answer.
A leader named Asaduddin Owaisi told the Election Commission about the problem and asked them to look into it.
Some people hoped the deadline would be extended by two more days because of the holidays.
By Sunday, a large number of forms had been processed on computers, in a process called digitisation.
Still, many voters were left anxious about whether their forms would be accepted in time.
Voters across Telangana panicked after booth-level officers (BLOs) refused to accept filled enumeration forms on the weekend.
BLOs cited the Bonalu and Rangam festivals on August 9 and 10 as the reason for not accepting forms, despite the August 10 deadline.
MIM president Asaduddin Owaisi alerted the Election Commission of India and the District Election Officer about refusals within GHMC limits.
Voters such as Agha Ali Sultan of Charminar and Md. Shakeel of Yakutpura reported being unable to reach BLOs or submit their forms.
By Sunday, 2,64,30,494 (78.14 per cent) digitisation was achieved overall, while Hyderabad crossed 58 per cent.
- Who
- Voters in Telangana, booth-level officers (BLOs), MIM president Asaduddin Owaisi, and the Election Commission of India.
- What
- BLOs refused to accept filled enumeration forms citing the Bonalu and Rangam holidays, leaving last-minute voters panicked and unable to submit before the August 10 deadline.
- When
- Sunday, August 9, with the submission deadline on August 10.
- Where
- Telangana, including Hyderabad's GHMC limits (Charminar and Yakutpura constituencies) and other districts.
- Why
- BLOs said they were not willing to work on the Bonalu and Rangam holidays, while voters feared missing the August 10 deadline to submit their forms.
Voters and MIM leadership
BLOs and election authorities
Accepting forms during Bonalu and Rangam holidays
Voters and MIM leadership
Voters and MIM president Asaduddin Owaisi say BLOs are refusing to accept forms despite the August 10 deadline, causing panic; some ask for a two-day extension to compensate for the holidays.
BLOs and election authorities
BLOs cite Bonalu and Rangam as holidays when they are not willing to work, while authorities continue pushing for maximum digitisation of the forms.
- Last date for form submission
- August 10
- Holidays cited by BLOs
- Bonalu (August 9) and Rangam (August 10)
- Total digitisation by Sunday
- 2,64,30,494 (78.14 per cent)
- Hyderabad digitisation
- Over 58 per cent
- Official who alerted Election Commission
- Asaduddin Owaisi (MIM president)
- Affected constituencies
- Charminar and Yakutpura, among others
- Voter request
- Two more days of extension for Bonalu holidays