Hyderabad’s election machinery is gearing up for a major overhaul of voter rolls in Telangana. The state’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) announced on Thursday that preparations for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list have officially begun, setting the stage for enhanced accuracy ahead of future polls.
In a strategic move ahead of the SIR rollout, CEO C. Sudarshan Reddy urged all recognized political parties to appoint at least one Booth Level Agent (BLA) for every polling station. Speaking at a meeting with party representatives, Reddy emphasized that robust coordination at the booth level is non-negotiable for the success of this intensive exercise.
‘The BLAs must be locals from the polling station areas,’ Reddy stressed, instructing them to collaborate closely with Booth Level Officers (BLOs). This partnership aims to ensure precision, transparency, and swift resolution of issues during the revision process.
Every polling booth requires at least one dedicated BLA to verify voter details meticulously. With SIR currently underway in 12 states and schedules for Telangana expected in April-May 2026, time is of the essence. Notifications will bring tight deadlines, prompting early action in the state.
Preparatory efforts include tabletop mapping that links 2025 electoral roll voters to those covered in the 2002 SIR. This is followed by field-level verification, where BLOs are conducting door-to-door surveys, particularly in urban zones, to identify and authenticate households.
BLOs are expected to visit each polling area three to four times. The initial round distributes enumeration forms, while subsequent visits target previously inaccessible homes. Even unmapped voters during prep will have opportunities to update details during SIR.
Reddy reiterated the pivotal role of political parties, calling for prompt BLA appointments across all stations. Effective booth-level engagement, he noted, will minimize complaints, foster coordination, and guarantee no eligible voter is left off the rolls.
The meeting also saw participation from Additional CEO Vasa Venkateshwar Reddy, Deputy CRO Hari Singh, and other officials, underscoring the collaborative push for electoral integrity.