Hyderabad: TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud demanded an extension of the Special Summary Revision process on Tuesday, raising concerns over Telangana voter deletions and classifications.
Speaking at Gandhi Bhavan, Goud accused the BJP-led Union government of weakening constitutional institutions. He also alleged that the Election Commission was acting in favour of the BJP. The Congress leader said his party remained committed to protecting the voting rights of every eligible citizen.
Goud claimed that 22% of Telangana’s 3.38 crore electorate had been deleted under the ASBD categories. ASBD covered voters classified as absent, shifted, dead and duplicate. He also raised concerns over voters categorised as “unmapped” and “doubtful” during the electoral roll exercise.
Telangana voter deletions raise questions over 92 lakh votes
Goud claimed that 32.37 lakh votes had been classified as “unmapped.” Another 60.50 lakh votes had been categorised as “doubtful,” he said. Together, the two categories accounted for nearly 92 lakh votes, according to figures cited by the TPCC president.
Goud demanded that the Election Commission explain the classifications. He also questioned why doubts had been raised over nearly 1.60 crore votes. The TPCC chief further alleged discrepancies involving Congress Booth Level Agents.
According to Goud, the Congress had appointed 35,000 Booth Level Agents. However, he said Election Commission records reflected only 13,100 Congress BLAs. He sought clarity over the difference between the party’s figures and those recorded by the Commission.
Telangana voter deletions linked to enumeration forms, TPCC alleges
Goud alleged that many citizens faced difficulties while submitting enumeration forms. According to him, some voters were required to provide proof that they had voted in 2002. He claimed the requirement prevented many people from completing their enumeration forms.
As a result, their names had been removed from the electoral rolls, he alleged. Goud questioned the Election Commission’s authority to deprive eligible citizens of their voting rights.
He demanded additional time for the Special Summary Revision in Telangana. Moreover, he called on the Commission to ensure that every eligible citizen could exercise the franchise.
The TPCC president described Telangana voter deletions affecting poor and ordinary citizens as a serious issue. He said the Congress would continue its efforts to protect citizens’ voting rights and press for eligible voters to remain on the electoral rolls.