YSRCP flags SIR irregularities in Andhra, seeks poll body chief's intervention
The YSR Congress Party has written to the Andhra Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer, alleging irregularities and practical difficulties in the ongoing SIR of the electoral
The YSR Congress Party has written to the Andhra Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer, alleging irregularities and practical difficulties in the ongoing SIR of the electoral roll and seeking immediate corrective steps. In his letter to CEO Vivek Yadav, YSRCP MLC and state general secretary L Appireddy said the issues needed urgent attention to protect a free, fair and transparent revision process. Read Full Story Appireddy listed a range of concerns, including Booth Level Officers being pulled away for regular departmental work, poor public awareness, lack of uniformity in the distribution and collection of Enumeration Forms, alleged political interference, non-supply of the latest electoral roll to parties and their agents, and connectivity problems in agency and tribal areas. "I respectfully submit this representation bringing to your kind notice certain serious issues, irregularities and practical difficulties being faced in the implementation of the ongoing SIR in Andhra Pradesh, which require immediate corrective measures in the interest of free, fair and transparent electoral roll revision," he said. He said BLOs assigned to SIR work were also carrying their usual departmental duties and were frequently being called by their superiors for routine work, affecting the process and causing delays.
He asked that all departments be instructed to allow BLOs to devote adequate time exclusively to SIR work during the revision period. He also said that although BLOs were distributing Enumeration Forms in their areas, in many places these were "not being properly collected, verified and filed", causing confusion over the status of applications. Appireddy said public awareness of the exercise was inadequate and many electors were unaware of its purpose, procedure and timelines. He urged the Election Commission to take up extensive awareness drives through mike announcements, local publicity and other communication methods, and said recognised political parties could also be allowed to assist in voter awareness programmes related to SIR. Raising concerns over the handling of forms, he said that in several places BLOs were issuing two Enumeration Forms to electors. One of them was purportedly being treated as an acknowledgement, but both forms were reportedly being collected back from voters. "In some polling areas, only one Enumeration Form is being issued to voters, resulting in a lack of uniformity in implementation of the SIR programme throughout the state," he said.
