75 lakh Telangana voters miss SIR form deadline despite ECI extension

Hyderabad: Over 75 lakh voters in Telangana have not yet submitted their Special Identity Registration (SIR) enumeration forms, even after the Election Commission of India (ECI) extended the deadline. The slow response has raised concerns among election officials who are racing against time to update electoral rolls.

The SIR forms are part of a special drive to verify and update voter details, particularly for those who have changed addresses or wish to correct entries. Despite repeated reminders and an extended window, a significant chunk of the electorate remains non-compliant.

What Are SIR Forms?

The Special Identity Registration (SIR) enumeration is a process introduced to streamline voter data by collecting fresh details from households. It helps election authorities identify duplicate or expired entries, ensuring only eligible citizens remain on the rolls.

Telangana has roughly 3.2 crore registered voters, meaning nearly a quarter of them are yet to complete the exercise. The ECI had initially set a strict timeline but later pushed it back to accommodate more people, especially in rural pockets where awareness is limited.

Why the Delay?

Officials point to several factors behind the low turnout. A lack of digital literacy, especially among older voters, has slowed the process. Many residents also believe the forms are optional, though election authorities have clarified that failing to submit could lead to names being marked for deletion or review.

Local administrative staff have been conducting door-to-door campaigns, but the sheer volume of pending forms suggests a need for more aggressive outreach. In some districts, officials have reported that residents are reluctant to share personal details, fearing misuse of data.

ECI's Extended Deadline

The ECI had granted an extension to the original deadline, hoping to ease the pressure on both voters and enumerators. The move was also intended to accommodate those affected by recent transfers or migrations within the state.

Despite this, the number of unfiled forms remains high. Election officials have not confirmed whether another extension will be granted, but sources suggest that the commission is monitoring the situation closely.

What Voters Need to Do

Voters who have not yet submitted their SIR forms can do so at their designated polling station or through the official voter helpline portal. They will need to provide basic identity documents such as Aadhaar, passport, or ration card, along with proof of address.

Authorities are urging citizens to act promptly to avoid last-minute hassles. "We are asking everyone to treat this as a priority," a senior election officer said, requesting anonymity. "The forms are crucial for a clean and error-free electoral roll."

The state's Chief Electoral Officer's office has also set up special camps in urban clusters and IT hubs, where many young professionals have yet to file their forms. These camps will function even on weekends to maximise outreach.

Looking Ahead

With the assembly elections drawing closer, the completion of the SIR enumeration is critical. The ECI is expected to release updated voter lists after the process concludes, and any omissions could affect polling booth management.

Officials are hopeful that the remaining forms will be collected within the next few weeks, but they admit that the task is daunting. Voters who miss the final deadline risk having their names flagged for scrutiny, which could cause inconvenience on polling day.

All eyes are now on the ECI's next move—whether it will extend the deadline again or begin the process of finalising the electoral rolls with the data already in hand.