*YSRCP seeks transparent voter verification process*

Tadepalli, Aug 17: YSRCP General Secretary and MLC Lella Appi Reddy has written to the Chief Electoral Officer of Andhra Pradesh seeking uniform verification guidelines for eligible voters residing outside the State or abroad and greater transparency in the ongoing electoral roll revision process. Copies of the representations were also sent to the Chief Election Commissioner.

Appi Reddy said students pursuing education in other States or abroad and people temporarily residing overseas for employment should not lose their legitimate voting rights merely because they are unable to appear personally for verification.

He requested that parents or close blood relatives be permitted to submit original supporting documents on behalf of such voters, along with proof of relationship and prescribed authorisation. He also suggested BLO-level verification of family, residence and supporting records.

Referring to reports of video-call verification being informally accepted in some places, Appi Reddy requested the Election Commission to prescribe a uniform procedure, if legally permissible, with proper safeguards for identity confirmation and record-keeping. The guidelines should be communicated to all EROs, AEROs and BLOs across the State.

In a separate representation, he sought booth-wise publication of the Discrepancy/Unmapped List and details of voters served notices. He also requested that the lists be supplied to recognised political parties so that BLAs can assist affected voters in completing the verification process.

Appi Reddy further sought removal of verified duplicate voter entries while retaining the genuine entry. He stressed that no eligible voter should be excluded without proper notice, verification and a reasonable opportunity to establish eligibility.