KT Rama Rao calls for transparency from Election Commission on SIR; cites SC intervention
Hyderabad, July 1
Bharat Rashtra Samithi working president KT Rama Rao on Wednesday called for absolute transparency from the Election Commission regarding the State Institutional Registry process, stating that several "doubts and speculations" surround the exercise.
Speaking to the media in Hyderabad, KTR said, "There are a lot of doubts and speculations regarding SIR, and its ultimate clarification will have to be given. The Election Commission will have to work transparently because the Supreme Court has also intervened, and a lot of discussion has also taken place. I am hopeful that whatever happens in Telangana will happen transparently and in a proper manner."
The special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls started in Telangana on Thursday.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on May 14 announced the conduct of Special Intensive Revision Phase-III of electoral rolls across 16 States and three Union Territories, covering over 36 crore electors in a phased manner, including Telangana.
According to the press note issued by the Commission, the exercise has been planned in coordination with the ongoing house listing component of the Census to ensure optimal use of field machinery.
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) schedule has been outlined for multiple States and Union Territories with clearly defined timelines for each stage of the electoral roll process.
For Telangana and Punjab, the qualifying date is October 1, 2026. The preparation phase will be conducted from June 15, 2026, to June 24, 2026, followed by BLO visits from June 25, 2026, to July 24, 2026.
Rationalisation will be completed by July 24, 2026. The draft roll will be published on July 31, 2026, with claims and objections open from July 31, 2026, to August 30, 2026. The notice phase and disposal will continue from July 31, 2026, to September 28, 2026, and the final roll will be published on October 1, 2026
— ANI
Reader Comments
Absolutely agree! 🤝 The EC should clarify the SIR doubts. Many people in my area are confused about whether new voters can register or not. Transparency will build trust. But I also think political parties should cooperate instead of just making allegations.
One thing I don't understand - why is the SIR being done alongside the Census? That seems like a recipe for confusion. Field staff are already overburdened. Let the EC explain how they will ensure accuracy. Good that KTR raised this.
From a neutral perspective, this is a legitimate concern. Electoral rolls must be accurate. However, KTR should also ensure his party doesn't try to influence the process. The Supreme Court's involvement should guarantee fairness, but the EC needs to be proactive in communication.
Yaar, every time there is an election, there are controversies about voter lists. 😅 The EC should digitize everything and allow online verification. Why are we still doing this manually in 2026? KTR is right to push for clarity.
I appreciate KTR's concern, but let's not forget that the SIR is a routine exercise. The EC has done this before. Instead of creating panic, let's wait for the draft roll and then file objections if needed. Transparency is important, but speculation helps no one.
N We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.