Kerala local body polls: Draft list identifies 2,66,78,256 voters; unlisted people can apply by Aug 7

Thiruvananthapuram: In preparation for the upcoming local body elections, the State Election Commission has released the draft voters’ list covering 1,200 local self-government institutions. As per the draft, the state has a total of 2,66,78,256 voters, including 1,40,45,837 women, 1,26,32,186 men and 233 transgender voters. Among districts, Malappuram has the highest number of voters with 32.71 lakh, while Wayanad has the lowest at 6.02 lakh.

The draft list has been compiled by reorganising the voters’ data updated during the 2024 summary revision, in line with the new ward delimitations. The voters’ list had previously undergone revisions in October 2023 and July 2024 following the 2020 general elections.

The draft voters’ list is available for public verification at all local self-government institutions, village and taluk offices, and on the State Election Commission’s website sec.kerala.gov.in. The website features a ‘Voter Services' section where citizens can search their names using district, local body, voter ID number or name.

Applications open until August 7
Voters can apply for inclusion of names, correction of details and change of address until August 7. Registration must be done using a valid mobile number. Upon submitting an application online, a computer-generated hearing notice will be issued. Applicants must appear in person on the specified date with relevant documents.

However, if an applicant is unable to attend in person due to employment or education-related reasons, the hearing can be conducted via video call, upon submission of a request to the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO). The decision of the ERO in such cases will be final.

The final voters’ list will be published on August 30.

15 lakh voters in Kottayam
In Kottayam district, the draft list records 15,39,188 voters, including 8,00,085 women, 7,39,094 men and 9 transgender voters. However, there have been complaints regarding exclusions. In Vijayapuram Panchayat, 15 voters were reportedly omitted from a single ward. The Panchayat Secretary has assured that their names would be reinstated in the list. Kottayam district has 1,431 wards across 71 panchayats, with 1,694 polling stations. In its six municipalities, there are 208 wards and 246 polling stations.

Distribution of the draft voters’ list to political parties has alerady begun in selected panchayats. Parties have raised complaints that in many local bodies, they have yet to receive copies of the list.

‘Star’ mark for disqualified candidates
Meanwhile, the State Election Commission has instructed that a star symbol be marked against the names of individuals in the voters’ list who are disqualified from contesting elections. A compiled list of such individuals must be submitted to the Returning Officer along with the final voters’ list.

This marking applies to those disqualified for reasons including failure to submit election expenditure details, defection from one party to another and other reasons.

A survey of individuals facing six-year disqualification from contesting in local self-government bodies will also be conducted as the final voters’ list is prepared at both panchayat and municipal levels. Meanwhile, the verification process for identifying those facing disqualification began on Wednesday.