Vijayawada: YSRCP leaders have alleged serious irregularities in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Andhra Pradesh, claiming that the exercise lacks transparency and aims to remove names of opposition party supporters.
Allegations of Conspiracy
Addressing the media on Wednesday, former deputy chief minister Amjath Basha and former MLA S Raghurami Reddy accused the authorities of conspiring to delete names of YSRCP sympathisers and party workers under the guise of the SIR exercise. They questioned the authenticity of the 2002 voters list, which serves as a reference document for the revision process, stating it contains numerous errors.
“The 2002 voters list itself has major mistakes, including the absence of the sitting MLA’s name. How can the accuracy of such a list be ensured?” they asked. Notably, the name of Settipalli Raghurami Reddy, who was a legislator in 2002, was missing from the 2002 electors list.
Targeting YSRCP Strongholds
The YSRCP leaders alleged that villages and mandals where the party has strong support are being specifically targeted, with names being removed indiscriminately. Former MLA Raghurami Reddy claimed that names of his family members and several villagers were missing from the electoral rolls despite them continuing to reside at the same addresses.
They further alleged that several door numbers were missing in the 2002 voters list, creating confusion among voters during the SIR process. The leaders said the lack of clarity and proper verification raises doubts over the intention behind the exercise.
Booth Level Officers' Role
The Opposition leaders also alleged that Booth Level Officers (BLOs) are not conducting door-to-door enumeration properly and, in some cases, lack adequate understanding of filling up required forms. This could lead to genuine voters being excluded from the rolls.
Demand for Corrective Measures
Demanding corrective measures, the YSRCP leaders urged the Election Commission to release a revised and error-free 2002 voters list and ensure that the SIR process is conducted in a fair and transparent manner without targeting any section of voters.
Meanwhile, YSRCP leader and former minister Sake Sailajanath alleged that the ongoing SIR process in the state is being conducted in a flawed manner and claimed that the ruling coalition is using the MyTDP app to facilitate voter deletions. Addressing the media, he demanded a transparent and democratic process. Sailajanath alleged political interference in field verification and misuse of voter data. He claimed similar attempts were made earlier during the Seva Mitra exercise and urged the Election Commission to protect voting rights and ensure an impartial SIR process.
