Hyderabad, June 30 (HS): The Telangana High Court on Monday directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to consider printing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) enumeration forms in Urdu, observing that a substantial section of Hyderabad's population speaks the language.

The direction came during the hearing of a writ petition filed by social activist M.A. Mujeeb Ayyub before a single-judge Bench of Justice Bollam Vijaysen Reddy.

The petitioner challenged the ECI's decision to print the enumeration forms only in English and Telugu, contending that nearly 20 per cent of Hyderabad's voters are Urdu-speaking and may face difficulties in understanding the forms.

The petition also argued that Hyderabad, being a metropolitan city with residents from different parts of the country, has a sizeable population that may not be proficient in either Telugu or English.

Appearing for the Election Commission, counsel Avinash Desai submitted that the Commission was following its standard policy. He informed the court that the forms were printed in Telugu as the official language of Telangana and in English for the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) area. He added that the decision had been taken after consultations with representatives of all political parties.

The ECI also informed the court that Booth Level Officers (BLOs) had been instructed to carry sample enumeration forms in Urdu to assist voters in understanding and filling up the forms.

The High Court adjourned the matter for further hearing next week.

The Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Telangana commenced on June 25 and will continue till July 24.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar