Telangana parties brace for SIR rollout as urban BLA shortage emerges
Hyderabad: Political parties in Telangana have become alert following the announcement of the schedule for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). Aware of the potential impact of voter deletions and additions on future political prospects, parties are proceeding cautiously.
The Election Commission has permitted political parties to appoint Booth Level Agents (BLAs) under the supervision of Booth Level Officers (BLOs). This allows parties to verify details relating to voter deletions, the whereabouts of voters listed in the 2002 electoral roll, migrants and deceased persons.
Political parties can provide accurate information to BLOs to minimise errors during the preparation of the electoral rolls . In this context, party leaders are engaged in appointing BLAs, with the responsibility largely resting on MLAs and former MLAs. The Congress and BRS parties have already submitted names from most constituencies to the Election Commission and district collectors, though some constituencies are yet to finalise their lists.
Sources said appointing BLAs has become a major challenge in urban areas, particularly within Greater Hyderabad , for major parties including Congress and BRS. Locals are reportedly reluctant to come forward as agents in gated communities and upscale residential colonies. Even when volunteers are available, they often lack complete knowledge of the residents and their voter details.
Most gated communities and residential colonies have been established in recent years, and residents are reportedly unwilling to support the inclusion of outsiders in local voter rolls. These factors are said to be contributing to the difficulty in appointing BLAs in urban areas.
With new colonies emerging across towns and cities, many residents are believed to have migrated for education, employment and livelihood opportunities. However, verifying their original place of residence, whether they are already registered as voters elsewhere, and identifying deceased voters has become a major challenge.
Due to these issues, the revision process is reportedly proving difficult for political parties in urban areas.
At a recent BRS meeting, party leaders revealed that BLA lists had not yet been submitted for 29 constituencies. Dissatisfaction was also reportedly expressed by the party high command over the delay in constituencies represented by former ministers.
The Election Commission has permitted political parties to appoint Booth Level Agents (BLAs) under the supervision of Booth Level Officers (BLOs). This allows parties to verify details relating to voter deletions, the whereabouts of voters listed in the 2002 electoral roll, migrants and deceased persons.
Political parties can provide accurate information to BLOs to minimise errors during the preparation of the electoral rolls . In this context, party leaders are engaged in appointing BLAs, with the responsibility largely resting on MLAs and former MLAs. The Congress and BRS parties have already submitted names from most constituencies to the Election Commission and district collectors, though some constituencies are yet to finalise their lists.
Sources said appointing BLAs has become a major challenge in urban areas, particularly within Greater Hyderabad , for major parties including Congress and BRS. Locals are reportedly reluctant to come forward as agents in gated communities and upscale residential colonies. Even when volunteers are available, they often lack complete knowledge of the residents and their voter details.
Most gated communities and residential colonies have been established in recent years, and residents are reportedly unwilling to support the inclusion of outsiders in local voter rolls. These factors are said to be contributing to the difficulty in appointing BLAs in urban areas.
With new colonies emerging across towns and cities, many residents are believed to have migrated for education, employment and livelihood opportunities. However, verifying their original place of residence, whether they are already registered as voters elsewhere, and identifying deceased voters has become a major challenge.
Due to these issues, the revision process is reportedly proving difficult for political parties in urban areas.
At a recent BRS meeting, party leaders revealed that BLA lists had not yet been submitted for 29 constituencies. Dissatisfaction was also reportedly expressed by the party high command over the delay in constituencies represented by former ministers.
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