Shaik Abdullah Sohail urges graduates to register as MLC voters before 6 November
Hyderabad: Senior BRS leader Shaik Abdullah Sohail on Wednesday, 28 October, appealed to eligible graduates to complete Graduate MLC voter registration before the 6 November deadline. His appeal covers the Mahabubnagar-Rangareddy-Hyderabad and Warangal-Khammam-Nalgonda Graduates’ Legislative Council constituencies. He said even those who voted in previous Graduate MLC elections must register afresh, because the authorities are preparing the electoral rolls anew.
In a statement, Sohail urged graduates to register without waiting for the last date. He addressed young professionals, employees, entrepreneurs and job-seekers. He expressed concern that many eligible graduates might not know about the separate enrolment requirement. “Many graduates believe that because they voted in the previous MLC election, their names will automatically remain on the electoral rolls. This is incorrect,” he said. Every eligible graduate, he added, must submit a fresh Form-18 application.
A regular voter ID for Assembly or Lok Sabha elections does not automatically make someone a Graduate MLC voter, Sohail said. He then explained the eligibility criteria. Any Indian citizen ordinarily residing in the respective constituency can apply, subject to the prescribed electoral requirements. The applicant must have obtained a university degree or recognised equivalent qualification on or before 31 October 2023.
He clarified that the relevant date is the day the applicant passed the qualifying examination. The date of convocation or issuance of the degree certificate does not count. Therefore, those who completed their qualifying degree after 31 October 2023 will not be eligible under the present revision.
Documents and Form-18 registration process
Sohail advised applicants to keep their degree certificate, provisional certificate or appropriate marks memorandum ready before applying. They should also keep proof of residence and a passport-size photograph at hand. He said the election authorities will verify educational documents. Furnishing an Aadhaar number is optional, he clarified, and an Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) number is not mandatory for submitting Form-18. “Graduates should not be discouraged by confusion over documents,” he said.
Eligible graduates can apply online through the Chief Electoral Officer, Telangana, portal at https://ceotserms2.telangana.gov.in/MLC/Form18.aspx, the BRS leader said. They can also apply offline to the concerned Electoral Registration Officer (ERO), Assistant Electoral Registration Officer (AERO) or designated officials. He advised online applicants to preserve their acknowledgement or application reference number. Later, they should verify whether their names appear in the electoral rolls.
Sohail highlighted the importance of the Graduates’ constituencies. The Legislative Council, he said, gives a platform to raise issues concerning higher education, unemployment, recruitment delays, professional opportunities and the welfare of educated youth. “That representation begins with voter registration,” he said.
He appealed to graduates’ associations, student organisations, educational institutions, professional bodies and community organisations to spread awareness. He particularly urged existing Graduate MLC voters to tell their friends and colleagues that fresh enrolment is compulsory. “Every registered graduate should encourage at least five other eligible graduates to complete their registration,” he said. A simple reminder or the official registration link, he added, can raise participation and prevent eligible voters from being left out.
Reiterating his appeal, Sohail said 6 November is the last date under the present schedule. “Do not wait until the final day,” he said. He added that exercising the democratic right to vote begins with registration.
