SIR exercise: Sluggish distribution of electoral forms in Hyderabad, Medchal and Rangareddy

The distribution of enumeration forms under the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Telangana has slowed down in Hyderabad, Medchal-Malkajgiri and Rangareddy districts, with Medchal recording the lowest coverage at 61.57 percent.

Hyderabad: The distribution of enumeration forms as part of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Telangana continues to remain sluggish in three districts – Medchal-Malkajgiri, Rangareddy and Hyderabad – with Medchal recording the lowest distribution in the State.

Only 61.57 percent out of 29,79,130 voters in Medchal-Malkajgiri district have been handed out the enumeration forms even as the process entered its 12th day on Sunday.

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As per the details released by the Telangana Chief Electoral Officer as of July 5 (2 pm), Hyderabad recorded 65.91 percent of distribution of forms, while there is a total of 47,36,669 voters, the highest among all districts. As for Rangareddy district, 81.08 percent out of 36,99,743 voters have received forms.

One of the main reasons for sluggish forms distribution, according to voters in Hyderabad, Medchal-Malkajgiri and Rangareddy, is that Booth Level Officers (BLO) remain untraceable. There have been complaints from voters that BLOs are yet to visit their homes in several colonies in the city.

Even as the rules mandate that a BLO has to make house-to-house visits, some residents said BLOs are instead conducting the process in community halls. There have been instances of BLOs calling up voters to collect forms from their homes instead of handing them over at their doorstep.

As per the schedule, the enumeration forms are to be distributed to voters within 30 days. With 12 days gone by, voters are apprehensive that delay by the BLOs might cost the right to vote.

According to the data, barring four districts – Medchal-Malkajgiri, Rangareddy, Hyderabad and Sangareddy districts, 29 districts recorded more than 90 percent enumeration form distribution as of July 5 (2 pm).

The highest distribution is seen in Nirmal district, where 99.92 percent out of 7,55,344 voters received their forms. Overall, the forms have been distributed to 87.66 percent out of 2,92,31,268 voters.