Forms Shortage Hits Voter Roll Corrections

Hyderabad: Despite clear Election Commission of India guidelines that Forms 6, 7 and 8 should remain available with Booth Level Officers (BLOs), ground staff have reported shortages, forcing voters to seek alternate sources such as Meeseva centres. Officials warned that unless these forms are submitted before the ‘notice phase/disposal of claims and objections’ ends on October 15, changes will not be reflected in the final electoral roll.

During the ‘claims and objections’ period (Aug 17–Sept 16), voters who missed filing their Enumeration Forms in the earlier phase of the Summary Intensive Revision (SIR) that concluded on August 10 may submit Form 6 with the prescribed declaration for inclusion in the roll. The period also allows corrections through Form 8 and objections or deletions via Form 7.

However, in several constituencies, BLOs were found refusing to provide the forms, citing non‑availability. “Since I could not find my name in the Draft voter list, I questioned my local BLO. He asked me to fill Form 6 but told me to download it online. When officials claim these are available with BLOs, why are they running short?” asked Syed Mujeeb‑ur‑Rahman of Shaikpet.

Sources said delays in payment of BLO honorarium and fund flow issues have affected printing of physical copies. “Distribution of Enumeration Forms was delayed, and notices in the ongoing SIR phase too. Though generated as soft copies from Delhi, they should be printed locally. Supervisors are reluctant to spend as teams are already struggling with remuneration,” a source explained.

Citizen application forms

· Form 6: New voter registration or inclusion.

· Form 7: Objection or deletion of names.

· Form 8: Correction of details, replacement EPIC, PwD marking, address change.

Official public display lists

· Form 9: Consolidated list of Form 6 applications.

· Form 10: List of Form 7 objections/deletions.

· Form 11: List of Form 8 corrections, replacements, PwD marking.

· Form 11A: Address shifts within the constituency (Form 8).

· Form 11B: Address shifts outside constituency (Form 8).