SIR: Hyderabad’s figures of enumeration form distribution defy reality

The near 100% distribution of enumeration forms claimed by the Hyderabad district electoral authorities as part of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls appears like an exaggeration officials are resorting to, in order to escape from the pressure exerted by the higher authorities.

Distribution of forms has been hit at several locations where the Booth Level Officers did not go from house-to-house as mandated. A large number of BLOs made themselves available at school grounds, Resident Welfare Association’s offices and community halls, where the voters had to go and collect the forms. Wherever the electors were not proactive, their forms have remained with the BLOs.

So far, official records show 100% distribution in all the 15 constituencies, which are part of the Hyderabad district. This includes the forms of electors who are either absent, or dead, or have shifted to another location, officials say.

Municipal employees scanning SIR forms after receiving it from voters in Sangareddy on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit:
MOHD ARIF

However, with several BLOs not actually visiting the homes, one is left wondering how they marked down the absent, dead or shifted voters.

Hyderabad District Election Officer and Commissioner of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation R.V. Karnan says each BLO must have done the house-to-house visits at least once during the past 20 days, if not thrice as prescribed. He said he is also receiving updates about the absent, shifted and dead voters regularly.

The situation at the ground level is entirely different, say sources. Under extreme pressure from the Commissioner and Electoral Registration Officers, those in supervisory roles directly monitoring the distribution and collection of the enumeration forms are reportedly resorting to fudging of figures to satisfy the higher-ups.

“I have reported 100% distribution several days ago. But fact of the matter is, I have 20% forms lying with me undistributed. There is no way of knowing how many of them are shifted, deceased, absent or simply didn’t collect the form,” shared an official under the condition of anonymity.

Municipal employees scanning SIR forms after receiving it from voters in Sangareddy on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit:
MOHD ARIF

While BLOs have no access to fudge the figures on the app, the Assistant Electoral Registration Officials do, and many have done that to escape penal action, the official shared. Mr. Karnan reportedly placed an AERO under suspension, and issued showcause notices to several others for slow progress in SIR process.

Corroborating what the official said are the impossible spurts in figures posted on the social media accounts of the Telangana Chief Electoral Officer on certain days.

For instance, 69.35% distribution was posted for Hyderabad on the Telangana CEO’s X account at 8 a.m. on July 6. By 8 p.m. on the same day, the achievement jumped to 76.36%, translating into distribution of a total 3,31,567 forms in 12 hours. The following day, it leapt from 78.75% to 87.48% between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. These two days account for distribution of an average of 106 forms per day by each BLO, which, officials say, is impossible.