Telangana BJP submits memorandum to CEO, alleges voter registration hurdles

Hyderabad: BJP Telangana president N. Ramchander Rao on Monday said a party delegation had submitted a memorandum to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO). The delegation alleged voter registration hurdles during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. It also sought action on complaints, alleged irregularities and difficulties faced by eligible voters.

Rao said BJP leaders had been visiting different parts of the state ahead of the conclusion of the SIR process on August 3. They were assessing the situation on the ground. According to him, thousands of people from other states lived in the Hyderabad, Secunderabad, Malkajgiri and Chevella parliamentary constituencies. These included IT professionals and other residents settled in the city.

He said Election Commission rules allowed every Indian citizen to register as a voter at their place of ordinary residence. However, he added that the law permitted a person to enrol only at one location.

Voter registration hurdles raised with CEO

Rao alleged that some people were preventing eligible residents from other states from enrolling as voters in Hyderabad, Secunderabad, Malkajgiri and Chevella. He claimed Congress and AIMIM leaders and workers were pressuring and intimidating Booth Level Officers (BLOs). According to him, they were trying to stop eligible applicants from registering.

Further, Rao said he had personally witnessed similar incidents in the Karwan Assembly constituency. He alleged that some people had misled eligible voters. They had also created obstacles during the enrolment process.

Meanwhile, Rao said many North Indian residents and IT employees living in Chevella and Malkajgiri wanted to register as voters in Telangana. However, he alleged that some people were trying to keep their names out of the electoral rolls. He described such actions as a violation of Election Commission rules.

In addition, Rao alleged that political leaders were exerting pressure on government employees serving as BLOs. He claimed some of them had also intimidated the officials. According to Rao, the BJP delegation raised these issues with the Chief Electoral Officer.

Rao said every Indian citizen residing in Hyderabad had a constitutional right to register as a voter in the city. He alleged that the Congress and AIMIM were trying to prevent voters believed to support the BJP from enrolling in the electoral rolls.

Meanwhile, Rao urged voters not to fear intimidation during the enrolment process. He asked them to report any pressure, threats or irregularities to the BJP. He said the Chief Electoral Officer had assured the delegation that officials would examine the complaints. They would also take appropriate steps to protect voters’ rights.