Voter numbers decline in district, low submissions in SIR

Of the district's 2,979,130 registered voters, around 1.8 million have submitted their enumeration forms to Booth Level Officers (BLOs), leaving nearly 40% yet to complete the process

Metro India News | MEDCHAL MALKAJGIRI

The number of registered voters in Telangana's Medchal-Malkajgiri district could decline significantly as a large section of electors has yet to submit enumeration forms under the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls. Election officials have received forms from only about 60% of the district's voters, with the deadline for submission set to expire on August 3. Medchal-Malkajgiri district comprises five Assembly constituencies—Medchal, Malkajgiri, Quthbullapur, Kukatpally and Uppal.

Of the district's 2,979,130 registered voters, around 1.8 million have submitted their enumeration forms to Booth Level Officers (BLOs), leaving nearly 40% yet to complete the process. With only four days remaining before the deadline, officials believe it is unlikely that all pending forms will be submitted in time. Medchal-Malkajgiri, often described as a "Mini India" because of its large migrant population, is home to residents from nearly every state in the country. Many have moved here for employment in private companies or for business opportunities. Although many migrants are eligible to register as voters in the district, a large number reportedly prefer to retain their voter registration in their native places. Only those who have permanently relocated after disposing of their properties in their hometowns are generally opting to register as voters in Medchal-Malkajgiri.With similar Special Intensive Revision exercises currently underway in both Telangana and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, many migrants—particularly those originally from Andhra Pradesh—have reportedly submitted their enumeration forms in their native constituencies instead of their current place of residence.

Another factor affecting form submissions is the requirement to establish a connection with the 2002 electoral roll. In many cases, voters are unaware of where their parents were registered in 2002, making it difficult to complete the verification process. The issue is said to be even more challenging for migrants from other states, potentially contributing to a decline in the number of registered voters in the district. Although political parties have publicly described the Special Intensive Revision as an important exercise, local leaders have reportedly shown limited interest in mobilizing voters.