Owaisi Urges Error-Free Voter Roll Revision, Warns Against Exclusion of Eligible Electors

AIMIM president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi has urged the Election Commission of India to ensure that the upcoming Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Telangana is conducted in a fully inclusive and error-free manner , beginning June 15.

Speaking to the media, Owaisi stressed that the process must ensure that no eligible or genuine voter is left out , particularly those from poor and marginalised communities . He said the voter list exercise should strengthen democracy by expanding participation rather than restricting it, calling voting the most fundamental democratic right of citizens.

He cautioned that any exclusion from the electoral rolls could raise serious concerns about the integrity of the democratic process. According to him, the Election Commission must prioritise universal inclusion so that every eligible citizen is properly recorded in the voter database, regardless of socio-economic background.

Owaisi also highlighted several operational challenges in the ongoing revision exercise. He pointed to the distribution of pre-printed 2026 forms and the expectation that voters provide or verify older records, including data linked to 2002 electoral rolls , which he said would be difficult for many people to access or recall.

He noted that Booth Level Officers (BLOs) have already completed mapping exercises in many areas, including his own constituency, which has around 18 lakh voters . Field verification work is now underway, but he expressed concern that the one-month timeframe , combined with the onset of the monsoon in Hyderabad, may not be sufficient for a smooth and complete exercise.

Owaisi urged authorities to avoid rushing the process and instead ensure that it remains people-friendly and comprehensive , preventing any unintentional exclusion of eligible voters due to procedural or logistical issues.

In a separate remark, he also commented on the ongoing West Asia crisis and its wider economic implications. He linked the conflict to global energy supply disruptions and rising instability in oil and gas markets, which he said are affecting economies worldwide, including India.

He alleged that Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are responsible for escalating tensions in the region. According to him, continued conflict is worsening global economic uncertainty and placing additional financial pressure on millions of people.

He called for an immediate end to hostilities, warning that prolonged instability would further strain energy supplies and deepen economic challenges across multiple countries.