Hyderabad old city SIR row: Untrained sanitation worker found acting as BLO
HYDERABAD: Serious irregularities in Hyderabad’s Old City SIR (Special Intensive Revision) process have cast doubt on the integrity and preparedness of the electoral machinery with the video of the conversation going viral om social media.
Going further into the details, the incident took place in the Chandrayangutta Assembly constituency, specifically at Polling Station No. 101 located in Barkas at Qurmushi School. Local residents reported that, upon arriving for SIR-related voter mapping, they found the assigned Booth Level Officer (BLO) was allegedly a sanitation worker with no knowledge of the process.
Eyewitnesses stated that the individual was neither trained in SIR mapping nor aware of the responsibilities of a BLO. A video of the incident has circulated widely on social media, increasing public concern and drawing attention to the issue. Additionally, BLOs assigned to Polling Stations 99 and 100 in the same area were reportedly absent, leaving residents without official guidance or support during voter verification and mapping.
The public has expressed concern over the incident, questioning how such negligence could occur during a critical electoral revision process. Residents stated that appointing an untrained individual as a BLO during a period of reported voter name removals reflects mismanagement and undermines trust in the electoral system.
“This is a mockery of democracy. We come to verify our names and find a sanitation worker who doesn’t even know what the SIR process is. Where are the trained officers?” asked a local resident who wished to remain anonymous. He further added, “If BLOs themselves are absent or unqualified, how can we trust that voter lists are accurate? Many names are being removed across the country, and with such negligence, genuine voters could lose their rights.”
Authorities have not yet responded to the incident, while calls for accountability and a formal inquiry are increasing. Political leaders and civil society members have urged the Election Commission of India and local administration to take immediate action.
Key demands include a high-level inquiry into the appointment of unqualified personnel as BLOs, action against officials responsible for the negligence, immediate training and verification of all BLOs in the constituency, and reassessment of voter mapping at the affected polling stations.
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a critical electoral process aimed at updating and verifying voter lists, removing duplicate or ineligible entries, and ensuring accurate voter rolls ahead of elections. BLOs play a pivotal role in this process, as they are responsible for door-to-door verification, mapping voters, and addressing claims and objections.
When untrained or unauthorized individuals serve as BLOs, the integrity of the revision process is compromised. As the video continues to circulate on social media, pressure is mounting on authorities to respond promptly and transparently.
