SIR notices tie Hyderabad voters in knots as days roll by

Hyderabad: Several voters in Hyderabad are finding themselves in a state of confusion and uncertainty over whether they have received, or are required to receive, notices from Election Authorities during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Voters claim that despite having all their details correctly recorded and submitting the required enumeration forms, they remain unsure whether any notice has been generated in their names.

The voters said they have neither received any message from election authorities nor a phone call from BLOs regarding the status of notices. Voters said that even after personally approaching BLOs to enquire about the notices, they were often asked to return after two or three days, with no clear information being provided. Moreover, when enquiring the same at the Telangana CEO website it said ‘No notice has been generated as on day. Please check after a few days’.

Mohammed Mujeeb, a voter said the uncertainty was causing unnecessary anxiety among citizens. “When we visit the BLO to check the status, we are simply told to come back after two or three days. People are running around without knowing whether they have received a notice, or one has been generated, or any further action is required from them.”

Another voter, K Shiv Shankar, who had not received any notice, said he is almost certain that he and his family members would receive notices due to anomalies in the way their names appear in the electoral rolls. “In the earlier electoral list, my name was mentioned only with the initial ‘K’, whereas the present list carries my full name. Since there were reports that even Telangana CEO C Sudharsan Reddy received a notice because of a difference involving his initial ‘C’, I am sure that my family members and I may also receive notices,” said Shiv Shankar.

Various voters expressed frustration over the lack of communication with the BLOs. Asif Sohail, a voter questioned why BLOs could not at least inform residents once a notice had been generated and received by them. “Once the notice is generated and reaches the BLO, they can at least make a phone call and inform the voter. Instead, notices are neither being clearly communicated nor properly delivered door-to-door, leaving people in complete confusion.”

A citizen said even online verification was not providing clarity. “Even when we check the Telangana CEO website, it asks us to check again after a few days. There is no clear status available, and this repeated message is creating more confusion,” the voter said.

Voters said the election authorities should provide a clear status through the official website, SMS or phone calls, ensuring that any notices are properly communicated to the concerned voters.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

MM Farooqui

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M M Farooqui, senior correspondent with interest in writing a range of stories about Hyderabad and its Purana Sheher. An experienced journalist specializing in departments including Heritage, Transport, Municipal Corporation, Majlis among others with over six years of writing expertise. When not immersed in writing, he can be found spending time in eating Hyderabadi cuisines, Mughlai, Chinese, exploring new things and listening to songs and qawwalis. Farooqui is an accomplished writer with a passion for writing with six years of experience, he has honed his craft in various genres. Farooqui’s diverse family history and embracing cultures have enriched his writing with unique perspectives.

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