Telangana SIR: Over One Crore Voter Entries Could Face Deletion

Telangana’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has triggered concerns over the status of a large number of voter entries. According to the figures cited in reports, more than 73 lakh enumeration forms had not been digitised, while another 61 lakh voter records were identified with discrepancies. The figures have raised apprehensions that the names of more than one crore electors could come under scrutiny. However, entries flagged during the exercise are subject to verification and should not be treated as automatically deleted. The Election Commission has stated that the SIR aims to ensure that eligible voters are included while ineligible entries are removed.

The Greater Hyderabad region is reported to account for a significant share of the unprocessed entries. Hyderabad, Medchal–Malkajgiri and Rangareddy districts together have a large voter base, with concerns particularly high over enumeration forms that were not submitted or could not be collected. Voters who have shifted permanently, died, are unavailable at their registered addresses or have duplicate entries may be identified for further action. Reports also indicate that discrepancies were found in records mapped with the 2002 electoral roll. Such voters may be required to appear before the Electoral Registration Officer and submit the prescribed documents to establish their eligibility. The Election Commission’s official process provides for claims, objections and verification before the electoral roll is finalised.