HYDERABAD: The Election Commission of India (ECI) team that inspected poll preparedness in Telangana has expressed concern over deletion of lakhs of voters in the state, particularly in three districts of Medchal-Malkajgiri, Nizamabad and Sangareddy. According to sources, poll panel officials pointed to alleged deletion of 7.5 lakh votes from electoral rolls in Medchal district alone. This comes in the backdrop of allegations from Opposition parties that more than 30 lakh voter-names were deleted in the state.
ECI team led by senior deputy election commissioner Umesh Sinha discussed with Telangana officials, district collectors and superintendents of police on Wednesday on deletion of names and gave specific directions to restore eligible voters.
A senior police official who took part in the meet said, “ECI team pointed to missing names in voter list, particularly in Medchal and Nizamabad and directed collectors to swiftly take remedial steps.” Speaking to reporters, Umesh Sinha said on Wednesday: “Political parties raised the issue of names yet to be registered along with deleted names. We have sought specific details.”
“We requested booth-level officers to take up door-to-door campaign and verify electoral rolls,” said Umesh Sinha. He said, “Any wrong deletion must be restored. People should get the opportunity to rectify entries. Around 15 days of intensive electoral revision rolls should be done. We will review electoral revision work every day.”
Telangana chief secretary SK Joshi told TOI, “Revision was done in the past based on Aadhaar. Duplication has been removed. Electoral rolls have the approval of ECI authorities. There are no irregularities. But the window for verification and registration is open and anyone whose names are not in rolls can now register.”
