No system yet to detect voters registered in two States, Telangana officials admit

Ahead of the Special Intensive Revision in Telangana, election officials admitted there is no mechanism to identify voters registered in two States. Nearly 89.88 lakh voter records showed discrepancies, while authorities outlined measures to update and clean electoral rolls.

Hyderabad: As the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is set to take off from Thursday in Telangana, officials admitted that there was no mechanism to identify and filter individuals who hold voting rights in two different States.

While there was no system yet to filter out those with votes in two States, State-level Training Nodal Officer B Chennaiah said that holding two votes was an offence. As per the Representation of the People Act, 1950, individuals found to possess more than one vote were liable for punishment, he said.

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The officer from the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) gave a presentation on the SIR at the Telangana Press Academy here on Monday.

He mentioned that a review of the voter list across the State revealed certain discrepancies in the details of nearly 89.88 lakh voters.

There was nothing to worry about. Measures were being taken to rectify these errors and ensure transparency in the voter list. These voters would be issued notices and they would have to submit documents for rectification, he explained.

Chennaiah noted that the Election Commission was prioritising the provision of voting rights to destitute and homeless persons. Such individuals could contact their local Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to obtain an Enumeration Form and register as voters, he said.

“Many people fear that lack of vote mapping could pave the way for deletion of their votes. It is not the case and they will be issued an Enumeration Form for registration,” Chennaiah said.

SIR was being taken up to remove ineligible persons and the names of deceased persons from the voters’ list, while adding eligible individuals.

The door-to-door enumeration and distribution of Enumeration Forms will be conducted from June 25 to July 24. The draft electoral rolls will be published on July 31 and the final voter list will be released on October 1.

Suggested information

Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will distribute pre-printed Enumeration Forms in duplicate. After filling up the form, voters have to keep one copy with them after obtaining an acknowledgement from the BLO.
Electors can also fill up the Enumeration Form online and submit it on the ECI website.

FAQs

What should I do if I did not receive my Enumeration Form (EF)?

In case of your absence, the form will be handed over to any adult member of your family. An elector can also contact the BLO over phone using the contact number available on the website of the Chief Electoral Officer, Telangana, or through the “Book a Call with BLO” option available on the ECI website and the ECINET App.

How do I check whether my name already exists in the Electoral Roll of SIR, 2002?

The details can be retrieved from the official website of the Chief Electoral Officer, Telangana, or the ECI website by using the “Search by Elector Details” option. Part-wise electoral roll data in PDF format is also hosted on the website and electors who know their polling station can search for their names in the PDF as well. A printed hard copy of the Electoral Roll of SIR, 2002 is available with the Booth Level Officer, who will assist in locating the name.

What if an elector is not found in the Electoral Roll of SIR 2002, even though he voted in the 2024 Parliament elections?

If the name of an elector is not found in the Electoral Roll of SIR 2002, it means that he may not have been enrolled during that time. In that case, he can try to retrieve the electoral details of his parents or grandparents, and their details shall be filled in the respective column of the Enumeration Form.

What if an elector is not available at home during the visit of the BLO? How can the Enumeration Form be submitted?

If an elector is not available in person to fill in the details in the Enumeration Form, any adult member of the family can fill up, sign and submit the form on his or her behalf.

Can I make corrections in the Enumeration Form or do I need to get a fresh Enumeration Form from the Booth Level Officer?

There is no provision to obtain a fresh form. Corrections, if any, should be made in the Enumeration Form, ensuring that the corrected information is written clearly and accurately before submitting the form to the BLO.

Is it mandatory to provide the Aadhaar number for submission of the Enumeration Form?

No, providing the Aadhaar number in the Enumeration Form is optional. Electors may provide it only if they wish to do so.

What should I do if the photograph printed in my Enumeration Form is incorrect or outdated?

A copy of a recent photograph should be affixed in the space provided in the Enumeration Form.

How long does it take for the BLO to collect the filled forms after distribution?

The BLO will make at least three visits and collect the filled forms before July 24, 2026.

Can a new elector who has completed 18 years apply for inclusion of his or her name in the electoral roll now?

A new elector who has completed 18 years should fill up Form 6 provided by the BLO along with the declaration form for enrolment. These forms will be processed by the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) of the concerned Assembly constituency during the claims and objections period from July 31 to August 30 and the inclusion will be reflected in the final roll.

If an elector or his or her entire family is out of station, how can the form be submitted?

If an elector or the entire family is out of station during the house-to-house enumeration phase, they may utilise the option of submitting the Enumeration Form online through the ECI website. This facility enables electors to complete the process even when they are not physically present at their residence.

What happens if the Enumeration Forms are not returned?

The Enumeration Form has to be filled up and returned by the electors to the respective BLO. For electors whose Enumeration Forms are not returned, the BLO will identify the cause, such as absence, death, shifting or duplication, based on inquiries with nearby electors, and their names will not be included in the draft electoral roll.