Hyderabad: Telangana Gears Up for Voter Roll Overhaul Ahead of SIR
Preparations Underway
Authorities in Telangana are accelerating groundwork for the upcoming Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Booth Level Officers have intensified field-level mapping using both the current voter list and records from the last intensive revision in undivided Andhra Pradesh back in 2002.
This mapping links existing voters to their historical entries, collects details of eligible family members, and flags deceased or shifted individuals for removal. The exercise lays a strong foundation once the Election Commission formally announces the SIR schedule.
Early Findings Raise Concerns
Initial surveys reveal significant changes in voter residency patterns over two decades. In many areas, only about half or fewer of the 2002-listed voters still reside locally, with some spots showing as low as 30 percent retention.
Urban migration and demographic shifts appear to drive these gaps. Officials note that the full house-to-house verification will address these discrepancies comprehensively when SIR commences.
Scale of the Task
Telangana comprises 33 districts, 76 revenue divisions, 620 mandals, 13 municipal corporations, 129 municipalities, over 10,000 revenue villages, and nearly 13,000 gram panchayats. The state is home to approximately 83 lakh households, all slated for door-to-door visits during the revision.
Booth Level Officers will verify details using a set of approved documents to ensure accuracy and eligibility.
Approved Verification Documents
The Election Commission has specified indicative documents for proving identity, age, and residence. These include:
- Passport
- Identity cards issued to government or PSU employees
- Documents issued before July 1, 1987, by banks, LIC, or local bodies
- Birth certificates from authorized entities
- Caste certificates
- Educational qualifications from recognized institutions
- Official residence proofs
- Forest rights documents
- National identity cards
- Family identification papers from local authorities
- Land or house allotment papers from the government
National Context and Timeline
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar recently indicated that Telangana will soon undergo SIR, following successful models like Bihar. The process aims to purify rolls by removing ineligible entries while adding qualified citizens.
This nationwide effort in select states emphasizes transparent and inclusive voter lists ahead of future polls. Residents are encouraged to cooperate with officials for smooth implementation.