YSR Congress seeks transparency in Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls
Amaravati, May 7
The YSR Congress Party has sought complete transparency in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Andhra Pradesh.
YSRCP General Secretary and MLC Lella Appi Reddy has written to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Andhra Pradesh requesting that recognised political parties be provided with the complete list of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and voter data in a searchable digital format.
Appi Reddy urged the CEO to share constituency-wise and booth-wise voter lists in a digital and searchable format along with complete details of BLOs, including their names, polling stations or part numbers, designations, and contact information.
He stated that making such information available would improve transparency, coordination, and accountability in the electoral process, particularly during voter list revision, claims, objections, additions, deletions, and migration verification.
Expressing concern over alleged illegal deletion of voters, duplicate entries, and voter transfers, Appi Reddy sought clarity on the procedures and safeguards being followed during the SIR exercise. He stressed that no genuine voter should be denied voting rights without due process and called for complete transparency to ensure free, fair, and impartial elections.
He appealed to the Chief Electoral Officer to immediately provide recognised political parties with the relevant digital voter data and the complete list of BLOs across all Assembly constituencies in the state.
Appi Reddy wrote three separate letters to the CEO. In one of the letters, he requested that the proposed voter list for the SIR exercise be provided in digital format. Stating that the electoral roll forms the foundation of the democratic process, he said any revision, deletion, correction, or addition of voters must be conducted in a transparent, fair, and accountable manner.
In another letter, the YSRCP leader sought constituency-wise details of BLOs, including their names, assigned polling stations or parts, and contact details, to be shared with recognised political parties in the interest of transparency, smooth coordination, and effective participation in the electoral process.
Appi Reddy also requested the CEO to issue instructions to all Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) for accepting Form ID:BLA-2 for the appointment of booth-level agents by the YSR Congress Party.
— IANS
Reader Comments
I agree with the need for transparency, but let's be honest — every party does this when out of power. When YSRCP was in opposition under Chandrababu, they too demanded data. Now it's their turn to ask. The real issue is whether the Election Commission will act fairly or bend to pressure. Let's see if they provide the data or hide behind excuses.
Great point about BLOs. These ground-level officers are the backbone of voter registration, yet we often have no way to verify their work. Sharing their contact details with parties will reduce corruption and fake deletions. Hope the CEO takes this seriously 🙏
Why is YSRCP only concerned now? During their own tenure, there were allegations of voter suppression too. This feels like political point-scoring before elections. But still, if the demand is genuine, EC should comply. Elections must be free and fair. Let's hope for a transparent process for the people of AP.
As someone who follows Indian politics from abroad, this seems like standard democratic practice. In many countries, political parties have access to electoral rolls. The request for digital format is sensible — it reduces manual errors and speeds up verification. India's democracy is maturing, and such transparency is a good sign.
I've been a booth-level agent in the past. The current system of physical rolls and manual checks is a mess. Digital data will save us hours of work and reduce disputes on election day. EC should embrace tech to make the process smoother for all parties. This isn't just about one party — it's about the voters
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.