Kozhikode: The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), which had earlier chartered flights to bring non-resident Indian voters to Kerala, is grappling with a different issue in the run-up to the Assembly elections. The party is alarmed over the uncertainty surrounding the enrolment of nearly 5 lakh new overseas voters under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

According to the IUML’s assessment, around 5 lakh Malayalis living abroad have been unable to enrol in the Election Commission of India’s online SIR process due to technical issues. The party fears that registration difficulties could adversely affect its electoral prospects. (IUML claims more than 80% of the 5 lakh people are UDF supporters)

The problem, IUML says, is particularly acute among overseas voters born outside India. A technical limitation is preventing their use of the Election Commission’s online platform, where the mandatory “place of birth” field in Form 6A (for overseas voters) is restricted to Indian states. Viewing these voters as electorally significant, the IUML has decided to intensify efforts to press the Election Commission to resolve the issue and ensure their timely inclusion in the voters’ list.

Priority issue
Parties in the Left Democratic Front, including the CPM, have not taken up the matter with the Election Commission. However, the IUML working committee, which met in Kozhikode on Monday, resolved to treat it as a priority. The party plans to escalate its campaign to prevent what it sees as the exclusion of overseas voters from the final electoral roll following the SIR process.

IUML’s allegation
The IUML has also alleged that the Centre is using the SIR to exclude certain sections of voters. The party had earlier approached the Supreme Court, challenging the SIR process in Kerala. However, the Election Commission proceeded with the revision and has already published a draft electoral roll.

IUML state secretary Adv Mohammed Shah said the party would fight for the rights of overseas voters who remain unable to apply for enrolment. “As per our assessment, more than 80% of the new overseas voters are UDF supporters. The Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre (KMCC), the cultural wing of the IUML, has compiled data on such citizens. We are deeply concerned that there is a covert attempt to prevent the addition of such a large number of voters ahead of the Assembly elections,” he said. The affected “voters” were located not only in Gulf countries but also in the United Kingdom and other European nations, he added.

The IUML mouthpiece, “Chandrika,” carried an editorial on Tuesday urging the Election Commission to resolve the issue without delay. The editorial said the party had raised the matter during a meeting of political party representatives convened by the Chief Electoral Officer, Kerala, describing it as a grave injustice. It pointed out that under Rule 12 of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, a mandatory 30-day period must be provided for claims and objections after the publication of the draft electoral roll.

The editorial further noted that although party representatives had demanded a proper mechanism for Malayalis born abroad to apply for enrolment, the online facility had not been enabled even after 12 days had passed since the 30-day window closed. As a result, only a small number of overseas voters were able to submit applications.

Campaigns planned
The IUML is learnt to be planning local camps across panchayats from January 10 to discuss and resolve issues related to the SIR process.

Haneefa Munniyur, state president of the Kerala Pravasi League, said the camps would focus on addressing complaints related to the draft electoral roll and the enrolment of new overseas voters. “All technical issues related to voter enrolment must be resolved before finalising the voters’ list for the Assembly polls,” he said.

Dileep Kumar T P of the Kerala Pravasi Sangham said many applicants, unable to enter their actual place of birth, were being compelled to mention their native place in Kerala on the SIR portal to complete the process. “There is concern that providing incorrect birth details could lead to serious complications in the future. The government should intervene urgently,” he said.

Meanwhile, responding to the allegations, a senior official of the Election Commission told Onmanorama that efforts were on to resolve what the official described as a purely technical issue. “We are trying to sort out the problem. Even after one month, people will be able to submit applications for enrolment,” the official said.