Concern over confusion in SIR process; large-scale deletion of voters’ names

Siddipet: Poets, writers, journalists and representatives of civil society organisations stated on Thursday that no authority has the right to violate the constitutionally guaranteed right to vote. They expressed serious concern over the confusion in the SIR process and the large-scale disappearance of voters’ names.

The Manjeera Writers’ Association, TUWJ (IJU) Siddipet district unit, Democratic Protection Forum, Telangana Vikas Samithi, Telangana Writers’ Association, and the Joint Forum of People’s Organisations jointly organised a “Discussion Forum” at the Siddipet Press Club.

The meeting was chaired by Siddemki Yadagiri, poet, writer, and general secretary of the Manjeera Writers’ Association. Participants included K. Rangacharya (TUWJ district president), poet-writer Ponnala Balayya (Telangana Writers’ Association president), Nandini Bhagavan Reddy (Telangana Vikas Samithi president), Thota Ashok (TRS honorary president), Gambhirraopet Yadagiri (general secretary), civil society leader Pochaboyina Srihari, journalist union State executive member Kuthuru Raji Reddy, Joint Forum president V. Santosh, noted poet and former MARASAM president Alajpur Kishan, vice-president Alajpur Srinivas.

The speakers said the Election Commission has become completely suspicious. Under the guise of revising the voter list, the SIR process is removing lakhs of eligible voters instead of only eliminating ineligible ones. Around 13 crore votes are disappearing nationwide; around 70 lakh votes in Telangana alone. They questioned: “Have so many people in the country died?”

They criticised the strange rules set for implementing the SIR process;officials rejecting government-issued ID cards and educational certificates as proof of date of birth was absurd. They questioned why notices were being sent to thousands of living voters.

The speakers said removing votes of deceased persons or duplicate entries is a very small task for the government machinery; with technology it can be done easily. They noted that although the SIR process was conducted earlier too, such chaos never occurred.

They alleged that the SIR process appears to be a conspiracy to remove votes of those who speak against the Central government or question it.

They condemned the Centre for suppressing youth and students protesting in Delhi demanding SIR process be halted and that CEC Gyanesh Kumar resign. They demanded the CEC and Centre clear public doubts about the SIR process and ensure voting rights for all eligible citizens, instead of arresting those who raise questions.

The speakers said the behaviour of the BJP-led Centre is suspicious. They strongly condemned the repression on youth and students and demanded the SIR process be stopped immediately and steps taken to ensure easy voting rights for all eligible citizens across the country and in Telangana.

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Jeekuru Parameshwar

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