Over 63.5 Lakh Votes Marked For Deletion In Telangana

Hyderabad: With the enumeration phase of the special intensive revision (SIR) of the electoral roll scheduled to close on Monday, the number of voters marked for deletion in the ASDD category — absent, shifted, dead and duplicate —spiked by several lakhs and stood at 63.5 lakh, according to the latest available data.

Similarly, the number of anomalies — enumeration forms with errors — has crossed the 62-lakh mark across the state. Hyderabad led with 6,61,557 (about 14 per cent), though digitisation is yet to cross the 60 per cent mark, as per the data accessed by Deccan Chronicle till August 7.

Both these categories of voters, numbering about 1.2 crore could find themselves out of the draft electoral list to be published later this month, if they do not make amends and rush to get their data updated with the booth level officers.

Total digitisation achieved in Telanagana was 78 per cent (2,64,11,118 votes), while in Hyderabad it stood at 58.41 per cent by Saturday.

Hyderabad district, with 15 Assembly constituencies, has over 14 lakh votes — close to 30 per cent — in the ASDD category out of total of 47,36,669 votes in the 2002 voter list. That figure of 14 look stood at 9.5 lakh as of August 4.

While August 10 is the scheduled last date, the public holidays on Second Saturday, Sunday and for Monday’s Bonalu holiday has effectively meant that booth-level officials (BLOs) scambled to complete much of the work by Friday. “BLOs on the job are no longer are waiting for people submit their enumeration forms. Such people are being marked in the ASDD category. Whatever remaining will be mostly the desk work,” said an official. “The BLOs’ ground work is almost done and the ASDD list has been closed in most places.”

Some BLOs have decided to wait till the last date and wrap up the exercise only on official deadline of August 10. “There is no haste from our side and since Monday is the last date we will continue to do our job without any pressure,” said Md Saleem, bill collector and supervisor to 12 BLOs in Warisguda area, under the Secunderabad constituency.

Observers said there remained a wrong notion amongst some voters that the poll authorities may further extend the date, leading them to take it easy. “I warned them that they would lose their votes, if they delay submitting their forms,” said advocate Malik D. Basha from Shalibanda.

He said he was advising those who have filled their forms online to get acknowledgement from the local BLO, since this would act as physical evidence to produce before the poll authorities, when facing notices once the draft electoral roll is released.”

How to fix it

What should I do if name is ASDD?

Immediately reach local booth level officer (BLO), collect enumeration form, fill and return it before August 10.

Collect two copies of the form, as per the norm. Retain one of them, as required.

In case of submission online via the official ECI voters portal, take a screenshot.

What should I do if name as listed with anomaly?

It simply means there is a logical discrepancy or data mismatch from the 2002 SIR list.

This could include spelling, date of birth, or parental information.

Get the due corrections made. After Aug. 17 If the name is in ASDD or anomaly list, you will likely receive an official inquiry notice from local electoral registration officer (ERO).

This will happen during the claims and objections phase which starts from August 17.

The notice will schedule a specific time to appear before the ERO to verify data.

As per guidelines, no name can be removed without giving voter an opportunity to be heard.

Bring legitimate proof of identity, address, and ancestry, while appearing before the ERO.