Thiruvananthapuram: The Special Intensive Review (SIR) of the electoral rolls has entered a crucial phase, with hearings beginning at polling booths across the state for over 10,000 people. So far, notices based on the draft voters list have been issued to as many as 1.3 lakh individuals in various districts.

In most places, the hearings are being held in the same buildings that function as polling booths. So far, Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) have prepared a total of 18.7 lakh notices. These notices are delivered to voters at their doorsteps by Booth Level Officers (BLOs), while hearings are conducted by Assistant EROs under the EROs.

BLOs will also be present during the hearings. If those who have received notices are unable to appear on the specified date, they may inform the BLO, and arrangements will be made to reschedule the hearing to another day.

Those summoned must produce the documents specified in the notice. For some voters, personal documents will suffice, while others will be required to submit their parents' documents as well. Notices have been issued to those who failed to furnish details that could be linked with the 2002 SIR electoral roll or where discrepancies were found in such details. EROs have been given oral instructions to exempt from hearings those who have already submitted the required documents.

Basic facilities to be arranged at hearing centres
The government has directed district collectors to organise hearing centres in a manner that avoids inconvenience to the public and ensures the availability of all essential facilities. Volunteers may also be deployed wherever necessary.

Polling stations where BLOs have not been appointed, or where vacancies exist, must be filled within two days. Vacancies arising from retirements in the posts of EROs, Assistant ERO and Additional Assistant ERO will be filled without delay. Transfers of the officials concerned will not be permitted during this period, and leave will not be granted without prior approval.

Awareness campaigns will be conducted to ensure that all eligible persons left out of the draft roll are included in the electoral roll. In cases where certificates that should be made available through the K-SMART platform are delayed, the local self-government department has been instructed to facilitate their issue directly through the panchayats. Directions have also been issued to set up K-SMART help desks at the camps. A special meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary was convened to review these measures.

Documents to be issued free of cost
With hearings commencing for those who have received notices under the SIR, the government has directed district collectors to ensure that required documents are issued on an urgent basis to those in need. The office of the Chief Minister has informed that no fee will be charged for issuing these documents and that any existing fee, if applicable, will be waived for the time being. This move is part of the government’s decision to ensure that all eligible persons are included in the electoral roll.

Help desks will be set up at the local level to assist the public in having their names included in the voters list. The IT department has also been instructed to reduce the fees charged by Akshaya centres.