Special Intensive Revision: Telangana CEO Sudharsan Reddy asks political parties to appoint BLAs

Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) C Sudharsan Reddy has called upon all recognized political parties to appoint Booth Level Agents (BLAs) for every polling station in the state.

This move is critical for the upcoming Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, aimed at ensuring the highest level of accuracy and transparency in the voter database.

During a meeting with party representatives on Thursday, the CEO emphasized that the SIR—a massive, door-to-door verification exercise—requires strong coordination between government officials and political stakeholders at the grassroots level.

Key Directives from the CEO

Local Appointments: Political parties are encouraged to select BLAs from the local area of the polling station to ensure they have firsthand knowledge of the residents.

Close Coordination: BLAs will work alongside Booth Level Officers (BLOs), who are typically government employees or teachers, to verify voter details.

Timeline: While the SIR is currently active in 12 other states, the schedule for Telangana is expected to be announced between April and May 2026.

The Preparatory Process

Preparatory work has already begun in Telangana to streamline the revision once it is officially notified.

Mapping is being done of records in the data and also in the field.

In the field, booth-level officers will be conducting an initial house-to-house survey, particularly in urban areas, to verify whether the residents are there or not.

The BLOs are to visit each area 3 to 4 times to distribute the enumeration forms and collect details.

Why Political Parties Demand BLAs

The demand for and appointment of BLAs is not just an administrative request but a strategic necessity for political parties. Here is why this role is so vital:

Preventing "Vote Theft" & Fraud: Parties use BLAs to act as watchdogs. They help identify "ghost voters," duplicate entries, or the names of deceased individuals that might otherwise remain on the list and be susceptible to misuse.

Ensuring Inclusivity: BLAs ensure that their party's supporters and eligible new voters (those turning 18) are successfully enrolled and not accidentally left out during the door-to-house visits.

Transparency in Deletions: One of the most contentious aspects of an Intensive Revision is the deletion of names (Form 7). BLAs provide a layer of oversight to ensure that deletions are genuine and not politically motivated.

Legitimizing the Roll: By having a representative present during the verification, parties can verify the "fidelity" of the roll, reducing grievances and legal disputes once the final list is published. "Effective booth-level participation will strengthen coordination and ensure that no eligible voter is excluded," stated CEO Sudharsan Reddy.

The meeting was also attended by Additional CEO Vasam Venkateshwar Reddy and Deputy CRO Hari Singh, signaling the start of a rigorous administrative cycle ahead of the 2026 electoral updates.