Kerala to complete SIR of electoral rolls within 20 days: CEO
Dr Rathan U Kelkar, Chief Electoral Officer of Kerala declared that eligible voters would not be removed from the electoral roll.
Dr Rathan U Kelkar, Chief Electoral Officer of Kerala declared that eligible voters would not be removed from the electoral roll.
Dr Rathan U Kelkar, Chief Electoral Officer of Kerala declared that eligible voters would not be removed from the electoral roll.
Thiruvananthapuram: Dr Rathan U Kelkar, Chief Electoral Officer of Kerala, said that efforts are underway to complete the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state within 20 days. Talking to Manorama News, Kelkar said that Booth Level Officers (BLOs) have been instructed to visit voters as part of the SIR process during night hours too, starting Thursday. Enumeration forms will be distributed to all eligible voters in the state, and BLOs will also assist citizens in filling out the forms.
“Though the Election Commission of India has given one month’s time, we aim to complete the process within 20 days. We would like to visit voters according to their convenience. If they are available at home at 8 pm or even 12 am, we are ready to assist them. All eligible voters in Kerala will be included in the SIR. That is the mandate of the process, and we will implement it without any lapses,” said the CEO.
He added that a successful implementation would make the Kerala model of SIR a benchmark for the rest of the country.
During the SIR process, electors listed in the 2025 roll must fill in their details, sign, and return the form to the BLO. Those who are currently out of station can complete the process online.
Officials clarified that no verification documents are required at this stage, and even a signed form will make an elector eligible for inclusion in the draft voters’ list. Verification by Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) will begin after the publication of the draft rolls on December 9.
Meanwhile, the LDF government has decided to move a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the implementation of the SIR in the state ahead of the local body polls. The Congress-led opposition in the state assembly backed the move during the all-party meeting held on Wednesday.
The SIR of electoral rolls commenced in Kerala on November 4, along with eight states and three Union Territories. According to the schedule announced by the Election Commission of India, the SIR will begin with the enumeration stage and continue till December 4. The EC will release the draft electoral rolls on December 9, and the final rolls will be published on February 7.