Telangana: BLOs Flunk Day 1 Of Voter Roll Drive
CEO C. Sudharsan Reddy issued a memo on Saturday directing district election officers: Reports
HYDERABAD: The first day of the “special campaign” for intensive revision of the electoral roll proved a damp squib, with booth level officers (BLOs) absent from polling stations where they were supposed to assist voters. The Election Commission had scheduled the drives on Saturdays and Sundays to facilitate filing of relevant forms.
In Kukatpally, school managements refused permission to set up polling booths, citing Teachers’ Day functions and lack of prior intimation. Sathvik Gone, an IT employee, said he visited two booths to clear anomalies in his and his father’s names but found no BLOs present. “By 11.30 am I was told to enquire at the ward office, where I learnt schools had denied permission,” he said.
In Mothinagar under Moosapet, residents of Panduranganagar Colony were disappointed when BLOs failed to turn up at booths 307 and 308. Former colony president S. Inderjeeth Singh said senior citizens had responded to awareness messages in local groups but were left waiting. “At least on Sunday, I hope the authorities make the campaign successful,” he said.
Congress leader G. Raghavender alleged that in Motinagar, where 21 booths were set up, BLOs were missing from all but one. He said even the Kukatpally ERO failed to attend a scheduled meeting with political representatives. “Is this how you conduct a special drive?” he asked.
In parts of the Old City, the campaign had little impact. TD minority wing vice‑president Mohammed Ahmed said BLOs failed to address notices served to voters. “Here in Charminar constituency, even notices are distributed by BLAs, not BLOs,” he said.
Poll officials had announced special drives on Sept. 5–6 and Sept. 12–13, instructing BLOs to remain at designated polling stations, read out names under anomalies and no‑mapping categories, and display them on notice boards.
CEO C. Sudharsan Reddy issued a memo on Saturday directing district election officers, including the GHMC commissioner, to ensure compliance.
By Sept. 5, Hyderabad district had received 3,51,982 applications under Forms 6, 6A, 7 and 8. These included 71,089 pending at AERO level, 2,17,135 assigned for BLO field verification, and 48,406 verified by EROs but yet to be disposed of. None of the applications has been cleared so far.