One Voter Revision Center in Each Division Needed: Y. Vikram
Y. Vikram, CPI(M) Khammam Division Secretary, urged officials to set up 60 voter revision centers for the city’s 60 divisions to eliminate inconvenience for the public. Under the leadership of the CPI(M) Khammam Division Committee, a protest was held on Tuesday at the corporation office addressing various public grievances.
Questions arise over how 27 voter revision centers can adequately serve 60 divisions, as voters face significant ground-level difficulties. The CPI(M) staged a dharna at the Khammam Municipal Corporation office, demanding an immediate extension of the deadline for correcting voter anomalies and mapping errors.
Rights of Genuine Voters to be protected
Vikram highlighted that residents are suffering immensely due to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. Citizens’ constitutional rights are being denied due to defects in the SIR. He stated that placing the burden of proof on voters violates the rights of the Indian public, and the Election Commission of India should accept additional documentation—such as property tax certificates—beyond the eleven prescribed documents. He demanded the immediate creation of 60 revision centers (one for each division) and expressed deep concern that elderly citizens are struggling because officials established only 27 centers, despite the massive corrections required across every polling booth.
Key concerns and demands
Overcrowding and Distance: With 80,663 voters receiving notices in the Khammam Assembly constituency, waiting times have surged. Revision centers located over three kilometers from voters’ assigned booths have created confusion, preventing many from submitting required documentation.
Door-to-Door Assistance: Officials must ensure Booth Level Officers (BLOs) visit every household directly to raise awareness and collect verification documents.
Technical Delays: Uploading voter photographs takes up to 20 minutes due to frequent network issues, causing further backlog.
Alternative Documentation: Officials must provide alternative verification options for voters lacking specific Election Commission-prescribed documents to protect their voting rights.
Caste Certificate Delays: Authorities must intervene to resolve severe delays in issuing caste certificates.
Staffing Shortages: Assigned officials are burdened with other government duties, leaving voters waiting at centers for extended periods.
Deadline Extension: The deadline for rectifying mapping errors and anomalies must be extended immediately.
Following the protest, a representation was submitted to the Municipal Commissioner, who assured leaders that efforts would be made to increase the number of centers. District Committee members Dongala Tirupathi Rao, S. Naveen Reddy, Bhukya Srinivasa Rao, SK Nagul Meera, Battula Upendra, and P. Nagasulochana attended the event, alongside former corporator Yellampalli Venkat Rao, leaders Kurapati Srinivas, SK Meharunnisa Begum, J. Venkanna Babu, CH Badram, Amaravathi, and others.
Editor, Prime Post
Ravindra Seshu Amaravadi, is a senior journalist with 38 years of experience in Telugu, English news papers and electronic media. He worked in Udayam as a sub-editor and reporter. Later, he was associated with Andhra Pradesh Times, Gemini news, Deccan Chronicle, HMTV and The Hans India. Earlier, he was involved in the research work of All India Kisan Sabha on suicides of cotton farmers. In Deccan Chronicle, he exposed the problems of subabul and chilli farmers and malpractices that took place in various government departments.
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