MPJ Seeks One-Month Extension For Electoral Roll Revision As SIR Deadline Nears

Proddatur – Andhra Pradesh: With only nine days remaining for the completion of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Andhra Pradesh, the Proddatur chapter of the Movement for Peace and Justice (MPJ) on Monday urged the Election Commission of India to extend the deadline by one month. Citing delays in the distribution and submission of enumeration forms, the organization submitted a representation to the Proddatur Tahsildar requesting that the appeal be forwarded to the District Collector and the Election Commission for urgent consideration.

• Only 37.66% of voters have submitted enumeration forms

According to the representation, Andhra Pradesh has approximately 4.16 crore registered voters, but only 1.56 crore voters (37.66%) have so far submitted their completed enumeration forms as part of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision process. The MPJ expressed concern that a significant portion of eligible voters may be left out if the present deadline is not extended.

• Enumeration forms yet to reach many voters

MPJ stated that every Booth Level Officer (BLO) is responsible for verifying voter lists containing between 1,000 and 1,600 electors. However, it alleged that 20 to 30 percent of the enumeration forms are yet to be distributed, attributing the delay to inadequate awareness among both Booth Level Officers and the general public regarding the ongoing exercise.

• Mapping issues delay digitisation process

The representation also pointed to problems in the mapping process, stating that the absence of proper mapping in certain areas has prevented some eligible voters from being registered. Although BLOs have reportedly digitized around 40 to 50 percent of the available data, many completed enumeration forms remain pending because mapping has not yet been finalized in several localities.

• MPJ urges Election Commission to extend deadline

In its memorandum submitted to the Proddatur Tahsildar, MPJ appealed to the Election Commission of India and the Government of India to reconsider the existing timeline and grant a one-month extension for the Special Intensive Revision exercise.

The MPJ requested the Tahsildar to bring the matter to the notice of the District Collector, stating that additional time would enable wider public participation and help ensure that no eligible voter is excluded from the electoral rolls.

Among those who participated in the submission of the representation were MPJ District President Zakir, Town President Hussain Basha, members Muktiyar, Shafi, Ahmed, and retired Headmaster Ghouse Lazam, along with other representatives of the organization.

(Source: IAIJ/BIN/DPJB)