BRS seeks graduate voter registration extension as 4.96 lakh applications await verification
Hyderabad: The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) on Monday sought a graduate voter registration extension until December 6, citing 4.96 lakh pending verification applications. The party urged the Election Commission to extend the existing November 6 deadline ahead of the March 2027 Telangana Legislative Council elections.
A delegation led by former Minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav submitted a representation to Chief Electoral Officer C. Sudarshan Reddy on October 26. The party demanded faster verification, simplified documentation and additional enrolment facilities for eligible graduates.
BRS seeks graduate voter registration extension until December 6
The BRS sought a one-month extension for enrolment in the Mahabubnagar–Rangareddy–Hyderabad and Warangal–Khammam–Nalgonda graduates’ constituencies. According to figures submitted by the party, election authorities had received 5,23,758 applications by October 24.
However, 4,96,112 applications remained pending verification, while authorities had approved only 26,085. The party cited the substantial backlog as a major concern ahead of the forthcoming Council elections.
It requested time-bound scrutiny of applications and greater transparency in the verification process. Additionally, the BRS urged election officials to ensure that eligible graduates received adequate opportunities to complete their registration.
BRS flags certificate attestation and verification delays
The delegation identified several difficulties affecting graduate voter enrolment. These included problems obtaining attestations from gazetted officers, insufficient assistance from field-level election personnel and limited public awareness.
The party demanded free certificate-attestation facilities to reduce difficulties for applicants. It also sought acceptance of digitally signed educational certificates during the registration process.
Furthermore, the BRS proposed dedicated enrolment desks at government offices and educational institutions. The party argued that these measures would simplify registration and help authorities process applications more efficiently.
It also urged officials to prevent unnecessary rejection of genuine applications over minor documentation errors. Applicants should receive an opportunity to correct deficiencies before authorities reject their submissions, the delegation said.
Special registration camps sought in Hyderabad IT corridors
The BRS requested targeted door-to-door enrolment programmes to reach eligible graduates. It also proposed weekend registration camps to accommodate applicants unable to visit registration centres during regular working hours.
The delegation specifically sought awareness and enrolment drives in Hyderabad’s information technology corridors and workplaces. According to the party, these initiatives could improve participation among graduates facing difficulties with existing registration procedures.
The proposed graduate voter registration extension would also provide additional time for applicants to complete documentation and verification requirements. The delegation requested changes to the rules governing fresh enrolment in graduates’ constituencies.
It specifically sought an exemption from repeated submission of educational certificates for graduates already included in the 2021 electoral rolls. The party argued that requiring these applicants to submit the same educational documents again created avoidable procedural difficulties.
It urged election authorities to simplify the process while maintaining necessary verification safeguards. The BRS also called for greater coordination between election officials and applicants to resolve pending documentation issues.
The BRS warned that it would intensify its campaign if election authorities failed to address the registration concerns. It maintained that the large number of pending applications required immediate administrative attention.
The party reiterated its demand for a graduate voter registration extension from November 6 to December 6. It also sought faster verification, additional registration facilities and safeguards against rejection over correctable errors.
The delegation stressed that eligible graduates should have a fair opportunity to register and participate in the March 2027 Legislative Council elections.