RV Karnan urges early voter form submission and warns against obstructing staff

During the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR)-2026 of electoral rolls in Hyderabad, District Election Officer RV Karnan has urged voters to submit their Enumeration Forms (EFs) at least three to four days before the deadline to ensure timely digitisation by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC).

Karnan also warned that strict legal action will be taken against anyone who obstructs or attacks Booth Level Officers (BLOs) during their duties. The warning comes following reports that SIR staff were allegedly attacked in the city. Karnan stated that election officials are performing statutory duties entrusted by the Election Commission of India, and any obstruction will face action under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Representation of the People Act, 1950.

To avoid a last-minute rush, the District Election Officer advised voters not to wait until the final day. Every form must be scrutinised and digitised before the draft electoral roll is prepared. Those who do not submit their forms risk having their names omitted from the draft roll.

Currently, form distribution in Hyderabad has reached nearly 100 percent, while about 26 percent of the received forms have been digitised. During the exercise, officials found that approximately 24 percent of electors had shifted, were untraceable, or were deceased.

For voters who have not yet received their Enumeration Forms, Karnan advised immediately contacting their concerned BLO, BLO supervisor, or calling the Voter Helpline at 1950. Voters can also download and submit the form online through the ECINet app or the Voters’ Service Portal.

Addressing technical issues such as Aadhaar-EPIC mismatches, Karnan recommended that affected voters submit their forms offline to receive a signed acknowledgement. For those without 2002 electoral records, he advised filling the form with current details, writing names exactly as they appear even if there are spelling mistakes, which can be corrected later.

To raise awareness, the GHMC has launched a campaign involving door-to-door visits, autorickshaw announcements, media advertisements, and meetings with political parties and Resident Welfare Associations.