Congress Must Guard Voter Rolls During Revision Process, Says Shabbir Ali

Hyderabad: Mohammed Ali Shabbir, a prominent Congress figure and advisor to the Telangana Government, has instructed party workers to take active steps in safeguarding the voting rights of all qualified citizens during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

At a constituency-level training session held in Kamareddy on Wednesday, Shabbir Ali emphasised the critical importance of this exercise and distributed printed materials outlining the revision procedures to party cadres, leaders, and booth-level representatives.

Characterising the right to vote as democracy's most precious asset, Shabbir Ali stressed that Congress workers must maintain constant vigilance throughout the SIR process and scrutinise voter records at every polling location to ensure accuracy and completeness.

Countering Electoral Manipulation

The senior leader cautioned that certain quarters are attempting to interfere with the electoral process in various locations. He highlighted concerns regarding the unauthorised removal of legitimate voters from rolls and the fraudulent insertion of fictitious names—practices he suggested were motivated by political considerations.

Shabbir Ali appealed to party workers to resist such interference through legitimate democratic channels. He particularly underscored the need to focus on protecting the electoral participation of minority communities, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and economically disadvantaged groups, asserting that such protections are fundamental to democratic health.

Booth-Level Organisation and Community Outreach

Instructing Congress agents stationed at booth level, Shabbir Ali directed them to conduct systematic work across villages and polling areas under their purview. He recommended establishing grassroots committees to identify young citizens eligible for voter registration who have not yet enrolled.

Emphasising the importance of discipline and dedication within party ranks, Shabbir Ali reflected on his own political trajectory, noting that he has remained committed to Congress and the Gandhi family for 45 years despite encountering significant obstacles and pressures.

The veteran leader recounted his service in the cabinets of four successive Chief Ministers, during which he consistently championed party interests and organisational development. He urged contemporary party workers to similarly prioritise democratic principles and party welfare above personal ambitions.

Shabbir Ali stressed that meticulous voter verification will prove essential in forthcoming electoral contests. He instructed party workers to undertake comprehensive household-to-household engagement across their jurisdictions, ensuring that no qualified voter is inadvertently disenfranchised.

The training programme was attended by several Congress functionaries, including Kailasa Srinivasa Rao, former president of the District Congress Committee; Maddi Chandrakanth Reddy, Library Chairman; and Iren Sandeep, the town Congress president.