Over 20 lakh Telangana electors face scrutiny due to electoral roll anomalies
On July 9, 2026, electoral authorities in Telangana revealed that over 20 lakh electors across Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy, Nizamabad, and Medchal Malkajgiri districts face scrutiny after Booth Level Officers (BLO) detected anomalies and unmapped records during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Out of 66.66 lakh enumeration forms verified by Thursday evening, approximately 30% of the electorate was found to have discrepancies, potentially requiring them to prove their citizenship to Electoral Registration Officers (EROs).
Of the flagged records, over 18 lakh forms contained information anomalies, while close to 2 lakh electors were classified as unmapped. Unmapped voters are individuals whose names, or whose relatives' names, could not be found in the rolls of the previous SIR conducted in 2002.
In Hyderabad, the ratio of anomalies was the highest in the state, affecting 57% of verified forms. Medchal Malkajgiri recorded the highest percentage of unmapped voters at 27%. In absolute numbers, unmapped voters peaked in Ranga Reddy district at over 22,000, while Nizamabad district recorded the highest number of anomalies at nearly 1.84 lakh.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has identified 11 types of anomalies. These include a gap of less than nine months between progeny, an age gap of less than 15 years between parent and child, and an age gap of less than 40 years between an elector and grandparent. Other anomalies involve differing parent names or relative types compared to the 2002 SIR, and incorrect age differences.
Affected electors will receive notices from EROs during the notice phase, which runs from July 31 to September 28. During this period, EROs will hear claims and objections. Summoned individuals must present approved documents to prove their citizenship. Of the 11 listed documents of proof, only nine are applicable to Telangana. Notably, Aadhaar cards and Food Security Cards are not among the accepted documents.
Currently, form distribution has reached 100% completion in nine districts, while digitisation and verification are still underway across the state.
