SIR: Enumeration Form Faces Language-Related Issues

Hyderabad:After facing a dilemma over the choice of language for the enumeration form as part of the upcoming special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls exercise, officials have adopted a unique idea of distributing the English form in Hyderabad and the surrounding areas, and Telugu in the rest of the state.

Though the state government has requested the poll panel to print the enumeration forms in two languages — Telugu and English — for the entire state, the Election Commission rejected the request, which forced the state officials to come up with this unique solution.

“We had requested the Election Commission for the enumeration form in two languages, but they did not accept the proposal. Given the cosmopolitan nature of Hyderabad, it was decided to distribute the form in English. In contrast, the form will be in Telugu in the rest of the state,” informed an official.

The Greater Hyderabad area has a total of 47,36,809 voters spread over 15 Assembly constituencies. Of this, 21,86,259, or 46.15 per cent of the total voters, were mapped during the pre-SIR exercise.

During a meeting, which was conducted by district election officer and GHMC commissioner R.V. Karnan, representatives of all recognised political parties have unanimously accepted the decision.

On June 12, AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi requested Chief Electoral Officer K. Sudharshan Reddy to consider English and Urdu forms for the enumeration. “Although Telugu is the first language of Telangana, the most commonly used language in the state — especially in Hyderabad — is English. Most government orders and administrative work are carried out in English. Even those whose first language is Telugu often prefer writing in English rather than Telugu,” Asaduddin said in his representation to the CEO.

Voters living in other districts, however, questioned the rationale behind the decision taken by the election authorities.

A Karimnagar resident and founder of Adala (Access to Justice Network) M.A. Mujeeb Ayub criticised the single language option. However, he welcomed the choice of English in Hyderabad as there was no other option.

“I believe the same approach should be extended beyond GHMC as well. Urban and semi-urban areas across Telangana, including district headquarters and major towns, should have enumeration forms in English in addition to Telugu. In rural and semi-rural areas, they can distribute Telugu forms. But voters should also have the option of using the English form,” Mujeeb demanded.