Hyderabad and Medak Senior Citizens Struggle to Trace 2002 Electoral Records

Senior citizens across Hyderabad and Medak are facing major hurdles in completing their voter enumeration forms due to difficulties in tracing historical electoral records, particularly the SIR 2002 list. The ongoing process has left many elderly electors overwhelmed by the task of searching old voter databases, forcing them to rely heavily on relatives for assistance.

While Booth Level Officers (BLOs) have distributed the enumeration forms and provided basic guidance, the search for old records has proved to be a daunting task even for younger generations. Despite having exercised their franchise in several past elections, the biggest challenge for these senior citizens is not proving their eligibility but filling out the forms by tracing previous electoral rolls.

Kishan, a 70-year-old voter, shared his experience of trying to locate his family's records. With the help of a relative, Kishan managed to trace his own SIR 2002 details in his hometown in Medak. However, his wife's details could not be found in the previous list, despite her having voted in every election.

Because his wife's name was missing from the SIR 2002 list, Kishan had to fill out only the bottom column of her enumeration form, linking his own Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) details with her voter ID details.

The burden is even greater for elderly parents whose children have relocated outside the state. In addition to completing their own forms, several senior citizens are filling and submitting forms on behalf of their sons and daughters who reside abroad or in other Indian states.

Subhashini, a 63-year-old voter, initially planned to courier the enumeration form to her son, who lives in Bengaluru. However, after contacting her local BLO, she was informed that the head of the family could fill and submit the form. With her son's help, she traced the family details from the last SIR and completed the form.