Voters Baffled After They Receive Notices, Following Hearing Dates Elapse

Hyderabad: Several voters across Telangana have received Special Intensive Revision-linked (SIR) notices after their hearing dates had already elapsed, even as delays in printing and logistical and technical issues have slowed the process at several places. Over 45 per cent of voters are yet to receive the notices and have expressed concern over the delayed notices.

Shabana Begum, 64, from Nirmal received a notice on September 5, while her hearing had been scheduled for September 1. “My family members got notices regarding anomalies in SIR enumeration and handed over notices to us on September 5 at 12.30 pm, but the hearing date mentioned in the notice is September 1; then what can we do ?” asked Shaik Salman, son of Shabana Begum.

Volunteers assisting with the SIR process said there were several instances across the state of notices reaching voters after the hearing dates. “There are several such cases across the state, but citizens are not ready to share the details for fear of repercussions,” said an SIR volunteer and founder of ADALAH, based in Karimnagar.

Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) Election Commission coordination committee chairman P. Rajesh Kumar said similar instances had come to his notice. “There are scores of cases which have come to light in recent days throughout the State, but at present the copies of such cases are not available,” Rajesh said.

By Sunday, of more than 93 lakh voters with anomalies, over 50 lakh had received notices. About 32 lakh voters had appeared for hearings and were undergoing verification, while 13 lakh had completed the verification process and reached the final electoral roll.

Officials said voters who received notices after their hearing dates had elapsed would be given fresh dates.

“The SIR process has been impacted owing to elapse hearing dates. Those who missed the dates will get a fresh date for hearing,” clarified a higher official.