Kerala SIR: 20 lakh enumeration forms ‘unreturned’, 5.6 lakh voters untraceable
These unreturned forms, classified as 'uncollectables,' involve voters who have shifted, deceased individuals, or those who could not be located.
These unreturned forms, classified as 'uncollectables,' involve voters who have shifted, deceased individuals, or those who could not be located.
These unreturned forms, classified as 'uncollectables,' involve voters who have shifted, deceased individuals, or those who could not be located.
Thiruvananthapuram: More than 20 lakh enumeration forms remain unreturned in Kerala as per the Election Commission of India (ECI) data published on Saturday. These cases, classified as “uncollectables,” refer to instances where Booth Level Officers (BLOs) were unable to collect or deliver the forms during home visits for specific reasons.
According to data updated on December 6, the largest share of unreturned forms involves voters who have shifted from their registered constituencies. As many as 7,39,205 voters (2.65 per cent) were marked as permanently shifted or absent following field enquiries.
Verification also confirmed that 6,11,559 voters (2.20 per cent) were deceased. Another 5,66,182 voters (2.03 per cent) could not be located during the enumeration process. The list further includes 1,12,569 duplicate entries (0.40 per cent), identified when a voter had multiple enrolments and opted to retain only one. A total of 45,866 cases (0.16 per cent) fall under “others,” involving individuals who explicitly refused to accept or return the forms.
In the midst of this large-scale verification exercise, the ECI has extended the SIR schedule by one week and set January 1, 2026, as the qualifying date. The decision follows a request from the state government, which cited ongoing local body elections and the reduced availability of party workers for the revision work. The Supreme Court had earlier permitted the state to submit its reasons for seeking additional time.
Under the revised timeline, the enumeration period will continue until December 18. The draft electoral roll will be published on December 23, and the window for claims and objections will run from December 23 to January 22, 2026. The final electoral roll will be published on February 21.
Chief Electoral Officer Dr Rathan U Kelkar said more than 95 per cent of the enumeration forms had already been digitised, with complete digitisation expected by 11 December. Meetings between BLOs and Booth Level Agents (BLAs) to verify absent, shifted and duplicate entries are currently underway and will conclude by December 7.
The ECI said the extension aims to ensure a comprehensive and accurate electoral roll without affecting ongoing election preparations, addressing concerns from political parties and officials over workload and logistical challenges.