BJP Alleges Voter Intimidation In SIR Process
Rao alleged that party workers and leaders from rival parties, specifically Congress and AIMIM, have been exerting pressure on Booth Level Officers (BLOs), creating fear and coercion that has led to eligible voters being left out of the rolls.
HYDERABAD: A BJP delegation on Monday submitted a report to the Chief Electoral Officer, Telangana, alleging systematic intimidation, unlawful interference and obstacles to voter registration during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process in Hyderabad, Secunderabad, Malkajgiri and Chevella parliamentary constituencies. The delegation sought immediate intervention to protect voters’ registration rights and to ensure impartial completion of the SIR exercise, which ends on August 3.
BJP Telangana president N. Ramchander Rao told the media that the delegation documented multiple complaints where eligible residents originally from other states, including a large number of IT professionals and other long-term settlers, were being prevented from getting their names entered in the voter lists. He said thousands of such residents live across the four constituencies and have the constitutional right to register where they reside.
Rao alleged that party workers and leaders from rival parties, specifically Congress and AIMIM, have been exerting pressure on Booth Level Officers (BLOs), creating fear and coercion that has led to eligible voters being left out of the rolls. He added that BJP teams conducting field visits encountered incidents of obstruction, misdirection of eligible applicants and deliberate delay tactics in the registration process in several assembly segments.
Rao emphasised that Election Commission rules guarantee any Indian citizen the right to register where they reside, and that dual registration is illegal. He urged the CEO to ensure these rules are upheld and to take corrective action where residents are being denied registration on partisan grounds.
The BJP delegation also pressed for immediate release and settlement of pending dues to BLOs, calling it a matter of justice and financial relief for the officials who carry out voter enrolment work. Rao said that pressure and threats against government employee BLOs are particularly worrying and requested protective measures and administrative action against those who intimidate officials.
He asked citizens not to be intimidated and to report any instances of coercion, irregularities or obstruction in the SIR process to the BJP and to election authorities promptly. He said the delegation had formally handed over a memorandum listing specific complaints and locations to the CEO for investigation.
According to Rao, the CEO received the memorandum and gave assurances that all complaints will be thoroughly examined and appropriate steps will be taken to protect voters’ rights and to ensure a fair and transparent SIR process.
Retired teacher killed in road mishap
HYDERABAD: A 60‑year‑old retired schoolteacher was killed after being hit by a speeding auto-rickshaw while crossing the road at Hydernagar under Kukatpally police station limits on Monday. The deceased was identified as Narsimha, who had retired from Shishumandir School in Zaheerabad.
The accident occurred when Narsimha was crossing the road at the zebra crossing and a speeding auto-rickshaw hit him, leaving him with severe injuries. Reports state that he died on the spot. The accident was captured on a nearby CCTV camera.
CCTV footage showed the man crossing the busy road, and as he reached halfway, he appeared confused about whether to move forward or backward to avoid the auto. He was then hit by the vehicle, which overturned onto him.
Kukatpally police rushed to the scene after receiving information and shifted the body to Gandhi Hospital for post-mortem examination.
Police have registered a case and launched an investigation into the accident. The deceased’s family members were informed about the incident.
