YSRCP demands one-month extension of Andhra Pradesh SIR deadline
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) on Friday, 10 July demanded a one-month extension of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Andhra Pradesh, citing systemic irregularities in the enumeration process and alleged pressure by the ruling coalition on ground-level officials.
Key Allegations Against the Ruling Coalition
YSRCP MLC Lella Appi Reddy told reporters that leaders of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) are allegedly directing officials to upload voter data onto the MyTDP app before transmitting it to the Election Commission office. He claimed that elected representatives, ministers, and personal assistants of ruling party leaders are pressuring Booth Level Officials (BLOs) to comply with this sequence.
Lella Appi Reddy further alleged that when a BLO attempted to lodge a complaint at a local police station over this pressure, the complaint was reportedly not accepted. 'We have complained to the Election Commission on the irregularities and will again give a representation besides exploring legal options as well,' he said.
Ground-Level Irregularities Cited
The YSRCP leader pointed to specific enumeration irregularities that have allegedly surfaced in Atmakur, Tamballapalle, and other areas, asserting that official figures cited by the administration do not reflect ground realities. He also alleged the presence of 30,000 bogus votes in Kuppam — the constituency of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu — that need to be identified and removed.
What the YSRCP Is Demanding
Invoking the position of party chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, Lella Appi Reddy argued that the slow pace of the SIR process and incomplete ground-level work make an extension necessary to ensure every eligible voter can exercise their franchise. The party has demanded the Election Commission use its discretionary powers to independently verify irregularities and prevent further interference.
YSRCP also alleged that Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and the TDP-led government are exploiting the electoral roll revision process for political advantage, effectively undermining the Election Commission's independent role in the state.
Political Context
This comes amid an already charged political environment in Andhra Pradesh following the TDP-led coalition's return to power. The SIR — a periodic exercise to clean up voter rolls by adding new eligible voters and removing duplicates — has become a flashpoint, with the principal opposition accusing the ruling alliance of attempting to shape the voter list in its favour. The Election Commission has not yet responded publicly to YSRCP's representation as of the time of this report.
With legal options reportedly being explored, the dispute over the SIR could escalate into a formal challenge before the Commission or courts in the coming days.