Shaik Abdullah Sohail urges fresh MLC voter registration before November 6 deadline

Hyderabad: Senior BRS leader Shaik Abdullah Sohail on Wednesday urged eligible graduates in two Telangana Legislative Council constituencies to complete fresh MLC voter registration before the November 6 deadline.

He clarified that graduates who voted in previous MLC elections must register again because election authorities were preparing fresh electoral rolls. The appeal covered the Mahabubnagar-Rangareddy-Hyderabad and Warangal-Khammam-Nalgonda Graduates’ Legislative Council constituencies.

In a statement issued on October 28, Sohail asked graduates, employees, young professionals, entrepreneurs and job-seekers to submit their applications without delay. He expressed concern that many eligible graduates remained unaware that the Graduates’ constituencies required separate voter enrolment.

“Many graduates believe that because they voted in the previous MLC election, their names will automatically remain on the electoral rolls. This is incorrect. Every eligible graduate must submit a fresh Form-18 application. Similarly, having a regular voter ID for Assembly or Lok Sabha elections does not automatically make someone a Graduate MLC voter,” he said.

Fresh MLC voter registration: Who is eligible?

Sohail explained that Indian citizens ordinarily residing in the respective Graduates’ constituencies could apply if they met the educational requirements. Applicants must have obtained a university degree or recognised equivalent qualification on or before October 31, 2023.

However, they must also satisfy the prescribed electoral requirements. He clarified that authorities considered the date of passing the qualifying examination, not the date of convocation.

Similarly, the date when a university issued the degree certificate did not determine eligibility. Graduates who completed their qualifying degrees after October 31, 2023, were ineligible under the current revision.

Sohail advised applicants to arrange their educational certificates and residence documents before beginning the registration process. They could use their degree certificate, provisional certificate or appropriate marks memorandum as educational proof.

Applicants also needed proof of residence and a passport-size photograph. However, election authorities would verify the educational documents submitted with applications. He clarified that providing an Aadhaar number was optional. Moreover, applicants did not need an Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) number to submit Form-18.

“Graduates should not be discouraged by confusion over documents. They should check the prescribed requirements, keep their educational certificates and address proof ready, and complete their registration at the earliest,” he said.

Fresh MLC voter registration through Form-18

Sohail said eligible graduates could submit Form-18 applications online through the Chief Electoral Officer, Telangana, portal. The official registration link provided in his statement was:

[Telangana Graduate MLC Form-18 registration portal](https://ceotserms2.telangana.gov.in/MLC/Form18.aspx.)

Alternatively, applicants could submit their forms offline to the concerned Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) or Assistant Electoral Registration Officer (AERO). Designated election officials could also receive applications.

Sohail advised online applicants to retain their acknowledgement or application reference numbers after submitting their forms. He further asked applicants to check the electoral rolls later to confirm whether authorities had included their names.

He stressed that submitting an application and confirming inclusion in the voter list were important stages of the process. The BRS leader said the Graduates’ constituencies provided a platform for discussing issues affecting educated youth and working professionals.

He identified higher education, unemployment, recruitment delays, professional opportunities and graduate welfare as major concerns. According to Sohail, representation in the Legislative Council allowed graduates to raise these issues through their elected representatives.

“Graduates represent an important section of society whose concerns deserve effective representation. Whether it is unemployment, recruitment, educational opportunities or professional challenges, their voice must be heard in the Legislative Council. However, that representation begins with voter registration,” he said.

He also called on graduates’ associations, student organisations, educational institutions and professional bodies to publicise the registration requirements. Additionally, he appealed to community organisations to inform eligible graduates about the November 6 deadline.

Sohail particularly asked those who participated in previous Graduate MLC elections to alert their friends and colleagues about compulsory fresh enrolment. He said existing voters should not assume that their earlier registration remained valid for the new electoral rolls.

“Every registered graduate should encourage at least five other eligible graduates to complete their registration. A simple reminder or sharing the official registration link can help increase participation and prevent eligible voters from being left out,” he said.

November 6 deadline for fresh MLC voter registration

Reiterating the deadline, Sohail asked graduates to complete the prescribed registration formalities before November 6 rather than waiting until the final day. He said timely applications would help eligible graduates complete the enrolment process under the current schedule.

He also urged graduates to share the official registration link and explain the fresh enrolment requirement to eligible acquaintances.

“November 6 is the last date under the present schedule. Do not wait until the final day. Register yourself, help your friends and colleagues register, and ensure that your voice is represented in the Legislative Council. Your vote is your democratic right, and exercising that right begins with registration,” Sohail said.