TDP Urges Election Commission for Fair Electoral Roll Revision in Andhra Pradesh

TDP's Call for Electoral Roll Revisions

New Delhi: On Tuesday, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) appealed to the Election Commission (EC) to allow sufficient time for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Andhra Pradesh. They emphasized that this process should not occur within six months of a significant election, and voters already listed should not need to verify their identities again.

This request comes amid a political controversy surrounding the ongoing SIR in Bihar, where its timing is close to the Assembly elections, leading to criticism from opposition parties regarding the proof required from potential voters.

The TDP delegation stated, "The purpose of the SIR should be clearly defined, focusing solely on correcting and including names in the electoral rolls. It must be made clear that this exercise is not for citizenship verification, and all field instructions should reflect this distinction."

They advocated for a 'presumption of inclusion,' arguing that voters already on the latest certified rolls should not have to prove their eligibility unless there are specific, verifiable reasons.

Referencing a Supreme Court ruling, they noted that prior inclusion in electoral rolls implies validity, and any removal must be preceded by a legitimate inquiry.

The delegation, which included TDP's parliamentary leader Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu and state president Palla Srinivasa Rao, emphasized that the burden of proof should rest with the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) or the objector, not the voter, especially when their name is already on the official list.

They met with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.

With Assembly elections not scheduled until 2029 in Andhra Pradesh, which the TDP governs alongside its allies, including the BJP, they believe the SIR presents a crucial opportunity to update the electoral rolls fairly and transparently.

The TDP urged the EC to initiate this process in the state as soon as possible, highlighting the need for adequate time and prior notification.

To foster voter confidence and ensure administrative readiness, they suggested that the SIR should be conducted well in advance, ideally not within six months of any major election.

Acknowledging the state's significant seasonal migration, particularly from rural and coastal areas, they proposed deploying mobile Booth Level Officer (BLO) units and accepting temporary address declarations to avoid excluding migrant workers and displaced families.

They also called for clear procedures regarding the removal of names from the electoral rolls and a mechanism for addressing grievances, urging the EC to provide reasoned orders in such cases with appropriate notice and allow for staged verification.

While these recommendations were made for future SIRs in Andhra Pradesh, the TDP also suggested similar exercises nationwide for the upcoming general elections.

They proposed annual third-party audits by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) to identify discrepancies, the use of AI tools to detect issues like duplicate entries in real-time, and a timely grievance-redressal system at the local level. They also recommended standardizing door numbers across the country to enhance electoral roll verification.

The party advocated for using Aadhaar to rectify duplicate Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) numbers, speeding up the issuance of unique EPIC numbers nationwide, and replacing the ink-based verification process with a biometric system.

The TDP also emphasized the mandatory involvement of booth-level agents from all recognized political parties in the revision process.

To ensure transparency, they urged the EC to publish district-wise data on voter additions and deletions with explanations on its portal and implement a real-time public dashboard for tracking voter grievances and their resolutions.

Among other recommendations, the TDP suggested that the EC hold monthly consultative meetings with recognized political parties at the District Election Officer (DEO) or ERO level, conduct targeted re-enrollment campaigns for migrants, tribal communities, the elderly, and the homeless.

They also called for allowing temporary address declarations with basic documentation to prevent disenfranchisement of mobile populations.

With a commitment to people-centric governance and active participation in the democratic process, the TDP has consistently advocated for the electorate's voice through electoral engagement, highlighting the historically high voter turnout in Andhra Pradesh.