HYDERABAD: Special voter enrolment camps organised by the Election Commission of India (ECI) received a lukewarm response on Thursday, the first day of the two-day exercise, with several polling stations in Hyderabad wearing a deserted look and Booth Level Officers (BLOs) reporting few applications. Similar scenes were witnessed at polling booths in Nizamabad and other parts of the state.
The camps, being held across Telangana as part of the SIR of electoral rolls, aim to help eligible voters whose names are missing from the draft rolls get their names included.
Online option, doorstep assistance may explain low turnout at voter camps
The camps also facilitate applications for deletion of names and corrections to existing voter details through Forms 6, 7 and 8.
A ground-level assessment of polling stations in Ameerpet, SR Nagar, Begumpet, Prakashnagar and other areas under the Sanathnagar Assembly constituency found sparse attendance. BLOs distributed a few Form 6 applications for new enrolment and received two Form 8 applications seeking changes, including those relating to residence and voter identity cards.
“We have been sitting at the polling stations with Forms 6, 7 and 8 since 10 am. By 4 pm, we had distributed a few Form 6 applications,” a BLO said, attributing the poor turnout possibly to limited demand for fresh enrolment or eligible voters already being registered.
Some field staff said residents had responded unfavourably when contacted and asked to visit polling stations to collect forms. BLOs remained hopeful that attendance would improve on Friday.
The provision for online applications and assistance from BLOs at voters’ doorsteps could also be contributing to the low footfall, with some officials suggesting that residents might be waiting for officers to visit their homes.
The subdued response extended to polling stations in Jubilee Hills, Secunderabad, Khairatabad, Musheerabad, Amberpet and other Assembly constituencies in Hyderabad district. Booth Level Agents of recognised political parties were also largely absent at several locations.
GHMC officials said the camps were particularly important for young and first-time voters whose names were missing from the draft rolls. Form 6 is used for inclusion, Form 7 for objections and deletion requests, and Form 8 for corrections and other changes.
The low turnout comes amid political friction and protests over the SIR exercise, which has raised concerns about the verification and revision of electoral rolls. The ECI has said the process aims to include all eligible citizens and remove ineligible entries.
Friday’s turnout will indicate whether the camps can improve participation and help ensure that eligible voters, particularly those who have recently attained voting age, are not left out of the electoral rolls.