HYDERABAD: Voter list update throws up Telugu name errors
HYDERABAD: The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, launched by the Election Commission of India to update voter lists without errors, is itself generating numerous mistakes during data entry.
The problem arises after voters submit their enumeration forms to Booth Level Officers (BLOs). While uploading the information online, English entries are automatically converted into Telugu, resulting in spelling errors that often alter the meaning of names and addresses.
In one case from Bachupally, the locality name was changed from “Bachupally” to “Bachchupalli”. In a village in the erstwhile Khammam district, the surname “Sudigaali” appeared as “Sudigaaliya”. The name of Vasireddy Venkata Naresh, a resident of Manikonda in Gandipet mandal of Rangareddy district, was displayed as “Venkata Nareesu”. Voters say such errors in names, surnames and localities could create confusion.
Election officials said such mistakes occur because names typed in English are automatically converted into Telugu. They said voters need not worry, as an edit option will be provided later to correct the entries. However, many voters questioned what would happen if the same errors persist even after the correction window opens.
Booth Level Agents accused of handling official work
Political party Booth Level Agents (BLAs) are allegedly playing a key role in the SIR process by performing tasks meant for Booth Level Officers.
According to the report, even the confidential login IDs and passwords issued exclusively to BLOs for accessing the official application have reached BLAs. Under the rules, BLOs must distribute enumeration forms to voters during door-to-door visits. Instead, in many villages, BLAs are reportedly collecting Aadhaar cards and photographs from voters known to them and filling up the forms themselves.
The rules require BLOs to upload the information from voter-filled forms through the official application using their individual login credentials. Although senior officials have reportedly warned against sharing these credentials, the practice is said to be continuing.
Duplicate voter entries come to light
The SIR exercise has also exposed large numbers of suspected duplicate voter entries.
Officials have identified hundreds of voters linked to the same house number and phone number. Earlier, around 150 votes were found registered under a single house number in a division in Khammam. More recently, officials identified about 700 voter entries linked to the same house number and phone number in a ward of Gandipet mandal.
The duplicate entries are expected to be removed during the revision process. Officials have also identified the alleged involvement of a leader associated with the previous ruling party in the creation of these entries.
