Voters With Revisions Fail To Get Enumeration Forms

Hyderabad: A week after the Election Commission started distributing counting forms under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, many voters in Hyderabad whose Electoral Photo ID Card (EPIC) details have been revised have complained that they are yet to receive the forms from their Booth Level Officers (BLOs).

According to BLOs, the delay mainly affects voters whose EPIC details were previously corrected or updated. They said that the voter’s sequence number in the electoral roll frequently changes when corrections are made. As a result, BLOs must verify updated voter rolls before submitting pre-filled census forms, causing delays in some cases.

“I corrected my name in my voter card a few months ago. My family and even our neighbors have received their census forms but I am still waiting,” said Shailaja, a voter in Himayat Nagar. He also said: “I was worried my name had been overlooked, but the BLO assured me they would come and give me my form next week.”

Another voter, Raghu Vamshi, said, “My EPIC was updated after address correction at the same polling booth. When BLO visited our street, everyone got their forms except me. Later, I was told that my voter serial number was changed and they will receive my form later.”

A BLO from Bansilalpet, Secunderabad, who requested anonymity, said the issue was not uncommon and said: “When an EPIC is revised, the serial number in the final roll of voters may also change. Their EPIC comes in another supplementary list in the same voters’ roll. These numbering forms will be available to us in the next 3 or 4 days. It will take a little more time, but all eligible voters will receive their forms.”

Election officials advised voters not to panic if they have not yet received the form, and advised voters who have not received a form to contact their BLO or local election official for assistance.