SIR: Concerns over voting rights of Gulf migrants

Hyderabad

In a meeting between Gulf Congress representatives and BC’s Transport and Social Affairs Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, concerns were raised over the continuation of voting rights for nearly 15 lakh Gulf workers and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) from Telangana during the ongoing Special Intensive Review (SIR) of electoral rolls.

A delegation comprising Sutari Satyanarayana Patel and Manda Bheem Reddy met the minister at the MLA’s camp office in Husnabad on Sunday to discuss measures necessary to ensure that the names of Gulf workers and NRIs remain on the electoral rolls despite their stay abroad.

Representatives expressed concern that thousands of overseas residents of Telangana could face difficulties in maintaining their voter registration during the revision process. They emphasized the need for large-scale awareness campaigns to educate expatriates about voter registration, verification and redress procedures.

The delegation proposed to organize online awareness programs through Zoom meetings and social media platforms to reach the citizens of Telangana living in Gulf countries and other parts of the world. According to them, such initiatives would help eligible voters to understand the procedures and protect their democratic rights.

During the discussions, the participants highlighted the significant contribution of overseas residents of Telangana and Gulf workers to the economy and development of the state.

Published – 21 Jun 2026 21:04 IST