Hyderabad: Thousands of voters in Hyderabad are reportedly facing difficulties while submitting their online enumeration forms under the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls, primarily due to mismatches between details on their Aadhaar cards and Voter ID cards. The issue has slowed down the online verification process and caused anxiety among many electors who are trying to complete the exercise before the deadline.
According to reports, the Election Commission has provided both online and offline options for submitting SIR enumeration forms. However, many voters opting for the online process are unable to proceed because the names on their Aadhaar and Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) do not match exactly. Even minor differences in spelling, the order of first and last names, or surname changes after marriage are triggering verification failures during the Aadhaar authentication process.
Several voters
have stated that the mismatch prevents them from linking their mobile number to their voter ID, which is a mandatory requirement for online submission. In many cases, users are first required to submit Form 8 to update or correct their electoral details before they can proceed with the online enumeration form, resulting in additional delays.
Women who changed their surnames after marriage appear to be among the worst affected. Many have reported that while their Aadhaar reflects their updated surname, their voter ID still carries their maiden name or follows a different naming format. This discrepancy prevents successful Aadhaar e-authentication despite both documents belonging to the same individual.
Apart from name mismatches, voters have also complained about other technical challenges. Some users have been unable to locate their 2002 SIR records, including part and serial numbers, which are required in certain cases during the verification process. Others have reported problems downloading the acknowledgement receipt after successfully submitting the online form, creating uncertainty about whether their application has been completed correctly.
Election officials
have clarified that voters can still complete the process through the offline mode if they encounter problems online. Under this method, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) distribute enumeration forms to electors, collect the completed forms, and verify the submitted information. However, many residents have complained that BLOs have not yet visited their homes, forcing them to depend on the online portal despite the technical difficulties.
For those choosing the online route, the Election Commission has specified that the names on the Aadhaar card and voter ID should match, the mobile number should be linked for authentication, and the online submission is considered complete only after the Booth Level Officer verifies the application through the official system. Electors are also required to download the acknowledgement after submission and provide a copy to the concerned BLO during verification.
The ongoing issues have prompted concerns among voters and political parties alike. Several representations have been made to election authorities seeking additional time for the SIR exercise and urging them to address problems related to name mismatches, unavailable historical electoral records, and technical glitches so that genuine voters are not inconvenienced during the revision process.
