Enumeration Forms Cross 1 Crore, Nalgonda Tops

Hyderabad: With house‑to‑house enumeration form (EF) distribution by BLOs picking up pace on the third day, close to 30 per cent of voters from a total of 3,38,26,448 received the EFs by June 27.

By 8 pm, distribution crossed 1,02,75,000 forms, accounting for 30.8 per cent coverage, officials said. Nalgonda district topped with 74 per cent completion.

While the entire state accounted for nearly 1 crore forms, Hyderabad district (15 Assembly constituencies) stood at just about 3 lakh. In contrast, Asifabad Assembly constituency recorded the highest with over 78 per cent distribution.

According to poll officials, during the first two days 47 lakh voters received forms, but by Saturday afternoon the exercise had already crossed 80 lakh. “Unlike districts, Hyderabad had a peculiar situation and a decision was taken for considering English forms at the eleventh hour. Permission from the ECI also got delayed. Some constituencies received forms on Friday evening, while others began distributing Saturday. Now everything is streamlined,” a senior official said.

In Old City, where distribution was delayed due to late receipt of forms and observance of Youm‑e‑Ashura, BLOs began work at night. “We were informed that the forms were available near my earlier residence in Charminar constituency. Since I had not changed my address to Tolichowki, I rushed with my brother to collect the form late at night, leaving my daughter with my in‑laws. Luckily I got it, but returned only at 1.30 am,” said Farhana Begum.

Meanwhile, BLOs complained of workload pressure, being tasked to complete distribution within a week by July 1. Anganwadi and ASHA workers, also mandated to join the three‑day National Pulse Polio Immunisation Drive from June 28, said they were instructed to prioritise poll duty or face termination. “We are facing immense pressure as we have to balance both. Collectors and MROs have given clear instructions lest we lose our jobs,” said P. Jayalakshmi, State Secretary of the AIFAWH.

The Congress urged CEO C. Sudershan Reddy to extend deadlines to ease pressure and minimise errors. “We requested extension of dates for both distributing and collecting forms, and to permanently increase the total days from 30 to 60 for thorough coverage,” said P. Rajesh Kumar, chairman of the TPCC Election Commission coordination committee.