Hyderabad: Congress senior leader Mohammed Waliullah Sameer on Wednesday sought an Election Commission inquiry into the Hyderabad SIR exercise. He alleged political interference in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. He claimed unauthorised persons associated with the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) were handling voter enrolment forms in parts of the city.
Sameer, Congress Incharge for the Hyderabad Lok Sabha constituency and former Hyderabad District Congress Committee president, said the Election Commission had directed Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to personally visit households, distribute enumeration forms and supervise the revision process. However, he alleged that officials were not following the prescribed procedure uniformly in several localities.
Hyderabad SIR exercise should remain with BLOs
Sameer alleged that some BLOs were asking voters to collect or submit forms at schools, community halls, function halls and other locations. Instead, they should conduct door-to-door verification. He argued that the practice inconvenienced senior citizens, women, persons with disabilities and working people.
He further alleged that individuals linked to AIMIM were handling or distributing SIR-related forms in some areas. According to him, such practices could undermine public confidence in the electoral revision process. They could also affect genuine voters.
Sameer said Booth Level Agents could assist political parties during verification only within Election Commission guidelines. However, they could not perform the duties of Booth Level Officers or retain official voter forms.
Hyderabad SIR exercise inquiry sought
The Congress leader urged the Election Commission of India and the Chief Electoral Officer of Telangana to direct all BLOs to conduct strict door-to-door verification. He also requested senior election officials to verify complaints from areas where alleged deviations had occurred.
Sameer demanded that authorities immediately recover any SIR-related forms or voter records allegedly kept outside official custody. He also sought disciplinary action against any election official who delegated official responsibilities to unauthorised persons.
Further, he requested police protection and administrative support for Booth Level Officers wherever necessary. This, he said, would help them discharge their duties independently.
He said the credibility of the electoral roll depended on a transparent and impartial revision process. Therefore, he urged the Election Commission to take immediate corrective steps and ensure that every eligible voter could participate without political interference.