Trinet News | August 13 | Peri Nageswara Rao: The comprehensive revision process of the voter list in Telangana has currently become a major topic of discussion. Officials are conducting house-to-house verification of voter details across the state to identify individuals who have changed addresses, deceased persons, those with names registered in multiple locations, or those unavailable at their registered addresses. The primary objective of this revision is straightforward: every eligible voter's name must be on the list, and ineligible names must be removed. However, officials must act with utmost caution to ensure no genuine voter faces injustice during this process.
Scrutiny of Lakhs of Names
There are crores of voters in Telangana's current voter list. During the house-to-house verification, details of numerous voters could not be obtained. Some people have permanently moved away from their old addresses to other regions. Others are living elsewhere due to jobs, businesses, education, or marriages. It has also been identified that the names of some deceased voters continue to remain in old lists. Furthermore, instances where a single person's name is registered in two different locations are coming to light. Identifying such names and rectifying the list is crucial for the electoral process.
The Situation in Hyderabad is Different
Hyderabad is a rapidly expanding city. Thousands of people arrive in the city daily for jobs, businesses, education, and other needs. Similarly, people migrate from the city to other regions. Consequently, the addresses of many voters change, yet their old addresses persist in the voter list. Therefore, voter list revision in urban areas requires even greater care.
Removal of Deceased Persons' Names
It is incorrect for the names of deceased individuals to remain on the voter list. If a person's name stays on the list even after death, it leads to doubts about the electoral system. Therefore, details of the deceased should be cross-verified with official records, and their names removed after confirmation. This measure will make the voter list cleaner and more transparent.
One Vote per Person
In a democracy, an individual has the right to a single vote. However, situations may arise where a person changes jobs or residence, leaving their name in the old area while registering a new one in the current area. In such cases, multiple registrations under the same person's name must be identified, and the name should be maintained only in the correct location. Action should only be taken after confirming that it is indeed a registration under the same person's name.
Providing an Opportunity Before Deletion
This is the most critical aspect of the voter list revision. Before removing someone's name from the list, the concerned individual must be informed, and an opportunity must be provided to explain why their name should not be deleted. A person's absence from their old home does not mean they have lost their right to vote; they might be away for work, children's education, or living abroad temporarily. Every such situation must be examined.
Citizens Must Also Act Responsibly
Revising the voter list is not solely the responsibility of officials; it is the duty of every citizen. Every voter must check whether their name is on the list and verify if details such as name, age, and address are correct. If a name is missing, they should immediately contact the relevant authorities and submit the necessary application. The right to vote is one of the most valuable rights granted by our Constitution and should not be neglected.
Role of Political Parties
Political parties must also act responsibly during the voter list revision. Wanting names favorable to oneself to remain and opposing names to be deleted is detrimental to democracy. If an eligible voter's name is unjustly removed, objections should be raised. Simultaneously, if an ineligible name exists, it should be brought to the attention of the officials.
Transparency is the Primary Goal
The more accurate the voter list, the more credible the electoral process. Therefore, transparency is essential during the revision process. Officials must examine every objection and provide adequate information to the public. Political parties must also explain facts to the public, avoiding room for false propaganda and unnecessary fear.
No One's Voting Rights Should Be Lost
While removing unnecessary names from the voter list is essential, not a single genuine and eligible voter's name should be mistakenly deleted. This revision process must proceed with the principle: "What should remain must stay, what is gone must go, but the genuine vote must never be lost." Purifying the voter list is not just about deleting names; it involves protecting the rights of every eligible citizen, eliminating improper registrations, and preparing a reliable list for future elections. Citizens of Telangana must also remain vigilant, ensure their names are on the list, correct changed addresses, inform officials if deceased family members' names persist, and rectify duplicate entries for a single person.
Conclusion
The vote is the foundation of democracy, and the voter list is the foundation of the vote. Therefore, it is vital that the voter list is accurate, transparent, and impartial. Through this comprehensive revision in Telangana, every eligible voter's right must remain secure, and every ineligible registration must be removed. Officials must act impartially without yielding to any political pressures. What should remain must stay... what is gone must go... but the eligible voter's right must never be lost.
