Telangana BJP seeks CEO’s intervention to check alleged threats during SIR
Hyderabad, July 20 : The BJP in Telangana has sought intervention of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) to check what it alleged was intimidation, threats and unlawful interference with the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process in Hyderabad, Secunderabad, Malkajgiri and Chevella parliamentary constituencies.
A delegation of BJP leaders led by party’s state president N. Ramchander Rao met Chief Electoral Officer Sudhershan Reddy on Monday and requested him to immediately have senior officers from other states posted as roll observers for Hyderabad, Medchal and Ranga Reddy districts.
The delegation submitted a representation to the CEO and sought his intervention in view of what they claimed were alarming incidents being reported from various parts of the Hyderabad and Secunderabad parliamentary constituencies, particularly within the Hyderabad parliamentary constituency.
The BJP leaders alleged that it has been brought to their notice that several leaders of workers of AIMIM and Congress were allegedly indulging in acts of intimidation, coercion and threats against certain sections of voters residing in these constituencies.
“In particular, members of communities who have migrated from other parts of India and have otherwise been lawfully residing and exercising their franchise in Hyderabad and reportedly being targeted and subjected to fear and harassment,” reads the representation.
The BJP said that numerous complaints have emerged that such voters are being falsely informed that they are not entitled to continue as electors in Telangana and are being compelled to return to their native states.
The BJP delegation told the CEO that such actions, if left unchecked, strike at the very foundation of democratic governance and undermine the constitutional right of every eligible citizen to be enrolled as a voter and to participate freely in the electoral process without fear, coercion or discrimination.
They also brought to the CEO’s notice that leaders of the ruling party, including the Chief Minister, have been telling people that they have to be enrolled as voters in rural areas, failing which, they will be denied various benefits received from the state and Central governments.
Stating that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar had clarified that there is no truth in the reports that a voter ID card is mandatory for availing benefits under government schemes, they urged the CEO to issue a clarification through media.
They demanded an immediate enquiry into the allegations of intimidation, threats and unlawful interference in the electoral enumeration process.
They urged the CEO to direct concerned District Election Officer, Electoral Registration Officers and law-enforcement authorities to take stringent action against persons found to be indulging in such illegal activities.
The BJP also sought deployment of Central forces to provide protection and vigilance in sensitive localities to safeguard voters from coercion and undue interference.
A delegation of BJP leaders led by party’s state president N. Ramchander Rao met Chief Electoral Officer Sudhershan Reddy on Monday and requested him to immediately have senior officers from other states posted as roll observers for Hyderabad, Medchal and Ranga Reddy districts.
The delegation submitted a representation to the CEO and sought his intervention in view of what they claimed were alarming incidents being reported from various parts of the Hyderabad and Secunderabad parliamentary constituencies, particularly within the Hyderabad parliamentary constituency.
The BJP leaders alleged that it has been brought to their notice that several leaders of workers of AIMIM and Congress were allegedly indulging in acts of intimidation, coercion and threats against certain sections of voters residing in these constituencies.
“In particular, members of communities who have migrated from other parts of India and have otherwise been lawfully residing and exercising their franchise in Hyderabad and reportedly being targeted and subjected to fear and harassment,” reads the representation.
The BJP said that numerous complaints have emerged that such voters are being falsely informed that they are not entitled to continue as electors in Telangana and are being compelled to return to their native states.
The BJP delegation told the CEO that such actions, if left unchecked, strike at the very foundation of democratic governance and undermine the constitutional right of every eligible citizen to be enrolled as a voter and to participate freely in the electoral process without fear, coercion or discrimination.
They also brought to the CEO’s notice that leaders of the ruling party, including the Chief Minister, have been telling people that they have to be enrolled as voters in rural areas, failing which, they will be denied various benefits received from the state and Central governments.
Stating that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar had clarified that there is no truth in the reports that a voter ID card is mandatory for availing benefits under government schemes, they urged the CEO to issue a clarification through media.
They demanded an immediate enquiry into the allegations of intimidation, threats and unlawful interference in the electoral enumeration process.
They urged the CEO to direct concerned District Election Officer, Electoral Registration Officers and law-enforcement authorities to take stringent action against persons found to be indulging in such illegal activities.
The BJP also sought deployment of Central forces to provide protection and vigilance in sensitive localities to safeguard voters from coercion and undue interference.
